PLATTEVILLE, April 8 — One of Platteville’s food pantries closed after its parent organization abruptly discontinued operations nationwide last week.
Ruby’s Pantry announced March 31 to its host sites and on its national Facebook page that it decided to close after “several months” of “thoughtfully realigning the work, structure, and focus of Ruby’s Pantry to ensure our mission remains at the center of everything we do.
“As part of this process, we have worked to better align community needs with our goal of operating in the most effective and seamless way possible. As a result, we have decided to end the operations of Ruby’s Pantry effective immediately.”
KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities reported that Ruby’s Pantry was experiencing rising transportation costs and a shrinking surplus food supply from surplus, overproduced or mislabeled food on top of its more than $400,000 debt.
Platteville United Methodist Church hosted Ruby’s Pantry for more than 10 years.
“We want to ensure everyone knows the church did not make this decision,” said Rev. Tammy Clausen in a letter posted on the church’s Facebook page. “This was a corporate decision. The church only hosts Ruby’s Pantry. …
“This was just as sudden and confusing for us as it was for everyone in the community. We are heartbroken to see this come to an end. It had an impact on our community. In times like these, we need to come together and help maintain the food pantries we still have in Platteville.”
Ruby’s Pantry had previously announced a $5 donation increase, to $30, days before the closing announcement.
Ruby’s Pantry was founded in 2008 by Rev. Lyn and Lonna Sahr as a ministry to fight food insecurity by distributing surplus food from ConAgra and other food companies throughout the Upper Midwest including Wisconsin. Ruby’s Pantry was named for Lonna Sahr’s grandmother.
Ruby’s Pantry distributed 34 million pounds of food through more than 80 pop-up locations to more than 300,000 families each year. In addition to Platteville, Ruby’s Pantry had locations in Dodgeville and South Wayne.
The closing leaves two food pantries operating regularly in Platteville — the Platteville Food Pantry, which serves Platteville School District residents at Lutheran Church of Peace the second Thursday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m. and the fourth Thursday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m., and Second Harvest/Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry at the former St. Mary School building the third Friday of the month.
A Little Food Pantry in the Platteville Public Library is available during library hours. Vouchers are available for senior citizens and income-eligible families at the Platteville Farmers Market, which now is at Rountree Gallery the first and third Saturdays of the month until the outdoor Farmers Market begins in May. UW–Platteville students can go to Pioneer Provisions at the northeast entrance of Glenview Commons Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. during UWP’s fall and spring semester.
PUMC also has The Nest, a community closet Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, with household and hygiene items.
The Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program holds a food pantry at 2115 N. Main St. in Hazel Green Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. Lancaster has two food pantries — at 245 W. Elm St. Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. and 7 to 8 p.m., and at Lancaster Congregational United Church of Christ Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m.
A food pantry is located at Rewey United Methodist Church Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon. Food pantries are located at Peace Lutheran Church in Belmont and Belmont United Methodist Church the second Thursday of the month from 5 to 6 p.m. An additional list of area food pantries can be found at https://www.familyadv.org/food-pantries-assistance.
