I can’t seem to get used to the fact that a significant amount of my paycheck is going toward food, with the rest being allocated to housing and clothing. It’s been that way for years, and I am still surprised with the bill every time I leave any grocery store.
Statistics reveal I am not alone. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics 2025 data, the average American household earns roughly $101,805 a year before taxes and spends more than 80% of its available income on basic necessities such as housing, food, and clothing, reported Equitable Advisors.
In response, many consumers have cut their dining-out expenses and turned back to eating at home. However, there’s a significant difference between high-income, middle-income, and low-income households. The truth is, I am actually very lucky with how much I am able to spend on food, as other people need help to afford basic meals.
And millions across the country deal with food challenges every day.
Key hunger facts:
- 48 million people face food insecurity and experience daily challenges with hunger.
- 14 million kids don’t have enough food to grow up strong.
- 100% of counties are dealing with some hunger challenges.
- Around 50 million people turn to food banks and pantries for help.
Source: Feeding America
Now, hundreds of thousands have lost one more source of food as a major nonprofit shuts its doors for good.
Ruby’s Pantry suddenly closes more than 80 food distribution sites
Ruby’s Pantry, a major nonprofit organization behind more than 80 food shelf sites, suddenly ceased operations on April 1, reported MPR News.
The closure affects more than 80 food distribution locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota. The nonprofit network has been assisting families for more than two decades, reaching around 300,000 families annually.
Ruby’s Pantry provided its service with no questions asked, and no income requirements. Each visitor would donate $25 and receive a box of food and other household necessities valued at up to $100 in return. The groceries were primarily sourced using corporate donation of surplus and excess items.
Why Ruby’s Pantry is suddenly closing
The nonprofit revealed it had to close because it was financially unsustainable. Local coordinators explained that operational costs, including fuel, insurance, truck repairs, and leases have been piling up, making it harder to continue.
Ruby’s Pantry posted the following note on its official website.
“Over the past several months, we have been 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. We recognize that this is difficult news to receive and do not take this decision lightly.”
The nonprofit then expressed gratitude for all contributions and to everyone who dedicated their time to support its mission.
Brian Kreager, a co-coordinator of Ruby’s Pantry Coppertop in Duluth, is now concerned for families that depended on Ruby’s Pantry for food.
“This abrupt closure makes things difficult, and maybe hard, and only time is going to tell how that shakes out. We are prayerful and hopeful that the families served don’t fall through the cracks,” Kreager told MPR News.
The closure of the volunteer-run food pantry network could not come at a more challenging time as many people across the country are expected to lose their federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance benefits because of tighter eligibility requirements under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com
More than 1 million older adults might lose their food assistance
The new law reduced federal funding for SNAP by $186 billion through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. This is the biggest reduction to food assistance in history.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimated the eligibility requirement changes to SNAP will result in more than 1 million older adults (ages 55 to 64) losing their food assistance.
More retail:
- 26-year-old sporting goods retailer suddenly closing
- Target rolls out two major changes to prove its value to customers
- Walmart quietly changes how it prices items
“In total, nearly 11 million people — about 1 in 4 SNAP participants, including more than 4 million children and more than half a million adults aged 65 or older and adults with disabilities — live in households that would be at risk of losing at least some of their food assistance under the provision,” reads the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ May 2025 report.
Moreover, using SNAP benefits to obtain food with nutritional value is associated with fewer inpatient admissions and lower health care costs for older adults dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, according to a 2021 cohort study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
“The estimated reduction of $160 per month in benefits for a family of three does not account for the specialized dietary needs that often accompany aging,” writes Think Global Health, pointing out that food banks are already overwhelmed.
Second Harvest Heartland reacts to Ruby’s Pantry closure
One of the nation’s largest food banks, Second Harvest Heartland, which provides 140 million meals annually, plans to jump in and help out those who used Ruby’s Pantry, reported Fox 9.
“We know their closure will impact the neighbors who rely on their services. We will be working with our current partners who serve those areas to ensure they are equipped to meet any increases in demand over the weeks and months ahead,” spokesperson Zach Nugent said in a statement.
The news quickly spread across the web, with many Ruby’s Pantry service users expressing sadness and worry about the closure.
“This is a huge bummer. My wife and I have used it on and off for the last 6 years or so, sometimes picking it up every month and sometimes going a couple months between pickups. I’m wondering where the tens of thousands of pounds of food will go every month, the majority of it was recently expired or close-dated,” wrote Reddit user Redbearder.
User admiralgeary asked if there’s a similar service, adding that “Ruby’s Pantry was huge in helping my family control food prices.”
Related: Walmart’s Sam’s Club raising membership prices