03/31/2026
Ruby's Pantry at New Hope Church in Wausau has been operating since May 2018. Earlier today we received an email from Ruby's Pantry headquarters in Minnesota that they are ending all of the pop up pantry's that Ruby's has. This was unexpected and we had no foreknowledge that this would happen
At this time we do not have any additional information as to why. if any additional information becomes available we will certainly share it with our local community via this page.
But this does mean that our upcoming pantry scheduled for April 7 is cancelled and all future Ruby's pop up pantry's at New Hope Wausau are also cancelled.
Ruby's Pantry at New Hope in Wausau started from within the church with a desire to reach out to our local community and do what we could to serve. It grew to include many non church members. I am deeply humbled by the sacrifices that have been made by the hundreds of volunteers who have served at Ruby's Pantry and the dedication that so many have shown.
In just shy of 8 years, we have distributed more than 1.5 million pounds of food into our local community. Food that has helped local families to make ends meet, seniors to be able to buy their prescriptions instead of spending all of their money on food, and neighbors being able to share with one another.
I was privileged enough to witness first hand the teams of volunteers unloading the semi, sorting, loading the food into cars, and cleaning up afterwards.
I was also privileged to encounter the gratitude of our guests, with both smiles and tears from the difference that food would make in their lives or their neighbors lives.
I can only say Thank You. Thank you to each volunteer. Thank you to those of you who found Ruby's to be of some benefit to you, your family, or your neighbors. A very special thank you to the local farmer who faithfully (FOR 8 YEARS) supported us with the use of a skid steer to unload the semi truck.
While Ruby's Pantry at New Hope Wausau is no more, the desire to reach out and serve our local community still lives at New Hope as well as in our community. We will take some time to reflect and review, and with God's grace will seek to hear his calling for how He would have us serve.
Bob Petts- site leader
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