The Pantry

The idea was born at Moorhead State University. A pastor and the Volunteers for Community Service Director came together and built the pantry at Bethesda Lutheran Church.

The pantry relocated to a Moorhead basement.

Representatives from eight churches organized the Fargo-Moorhead Emergency Food Pantry. The Pantry food moved to Elim Lutheran Church in Fargo.

Wayne Lubenow, at Midweek Eagle, a newspaper, wrote press promotions of the Pantry. The Board of Directors was formed. The Pantry owed Red Owl Grocery $300 they could not pay, hindering the ability to give a week’s worth of food, so only two days’ worth was given out until the Pantry could pay its debt.

The Fargo Elks Club donated $150/month to the Pantry, including a freezer too large to fit in the Pantry, so it sat on the Board President’s porch until the Pantry moved again. The Fargo-Moorhead Inter-faith Council disbanded and donated its bank balance to the Pantry.

The Pantry incorporated in 1975. Referrals to the Pantry were made by social service agencies and churches.

The Pantry moved to the Unitarian Fellowship Building. American Crystal Sugar began its recurring donation of sugar. Other recurring corporate donations began. In 1980 the Food Stamp program was in danger of ceasing operation for five months. Preparations were made to cover 350 Food Stamp requests per month. Fortunately, the program was restored. In 1982, the first USDA surplus foods were available to the Pantry.

The Pantry began to participate in Minnesota FoodShare’s incentive program. The present Great Plains Food Bank was organized to distribute food to area pantries.

The Pantry moved to a house owned by St. Joseph’s Church. Domino’s Pizza began to promote the Pantry.

Municipal Judge Davies levied an extra fine on convicted persons, incurring $50 worth of food for the Pantry. The Pantry became independent from Volunteers for Community Service and United Way. Lucille Kingsley became the first paid Coordinator of the Pantry.

The referral system changed: clients could only use one referral agency and only three deliveries could be made to a client in a year.

The Pantry moved again after repairs were made to the 10th St N former fire station.

Pantry Bylaws were changed. Clients began to pick up food ordered through referral rather than having the food delivered.

Linda Clark became Coordinator in 2000, and began her fourteen years of service, developing relationships with longtime area supporters and gardeners who provide fresh produce.

Relocation was revisited as needs grew. A building owned by the City of Fargo was leased to the Pantry and nearly a million dollars for major remodeling.

The Pantry held a Grand Opening in 2013.

The Emergency Food Pantry’s “Birthday Bags” program began – families receiving food with a child’s birthday would receive a bag of cake mix, frosting, and a handmade card.  

Stacie Loegering began as Executive Director.

The Emergency Food Pantry received a grant through Vitamin Angels to distribute vitamins to women who are pregnant or nursing and children who are 6 months through 4 years old.

The Emergency Food Pantry participated in a national training through Feeding America to improve the food recovery system in the region.  The pantry worked to improve collaboration locally.

The Emergency Food Pantry created a Strategic Plan.

Thanks to local support the Emergency Food Pantry continued to offer the same quality and variety of food throughout the COVID-19 pandemic response.