Ruth Krumm’s mission is a simple one, to feed those who are unable to afford to feed themselves. When Ruth isn’t running the food pantry at Johnstown Independent Baptist Church, she is coordinating food drives ensuring that her pantry has enough food to supply the families who are in short supply.
It has always been a passion of Ruth’s to help those who are in need, and outside of her work with the food pantry, for years Ruth would foster children who found themselves without homes. Ruth’s late husband, Harold, was always her greatest support and together they raised seven of their own children, three of which they adopted.
The food pantry at Johnstown Independent Baptist Church provides families with boxes of food once a month which provides them with enough food to last them two weeks if they are able to spread out their usage. Along with the boxes of food that Ruth provides, the families are given a food certificate to purchase perishable foods from Kroger, the only stipulation being that they aren’t allowed to purchase alcohol or tobacco with the certificates.
Ruth receives no government support and is entirely supported by the communities and the Johnstown Northridge school district. There are four Boy Scout troops who hold food drives around their community in an effort to become Eagle Scouts.
Aside from Ruth’s work with the food pantry, she couldn’t be more proud of each of her children, all of whom have grown to become model citizens. Through Ruth’s children, she now has 17 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren and an impressive three great great great grandchildren.
There is one moment in Ruth’s life that defines who she has become today and that moment came years ago when a little boy was standing in the food pantry with his mother, staring at a can of Ravioli. Finally, after near 10 minutes of staring, the little boy said, “Miss Ruth? Can I please have this? I’m so hungry.” This little boy has stuck with Ruth throughout her career and forever will. It is this that continues to drive her to help others, even through any obstacles that stand in her way.
It is Ruth’s wish that one day, when she is unable to continue with her work, someone will be able to pick up where she left off and keep the food pantry running. She hopes that whoever continues running the pantry will be able to look with an unjudging eye at those needing support and provide them with the assistance that they need.
Ruth’s kindness and selflessness has already left a lasting impression on the world around her, but if she were able to make one additional change it would be for all of us to have a little more patience and be a great deal more understanding of those who are different than we are. Being judgmental of others only hinders progress in the world and breeds hatred as opposed to love.