A popular food pantry in Washington County that provided groceries to families with no questions asked is unexpectedly closing its doors after 11 years.

On Tuesday, the Minnesota headquarters of Rubys Pantry emailed West Bend site leader Felicia Reichard to inform her that all operations were closed.

"It was a good 11 years," Reichard said . "Its the community part of it, the family part, and the being kind. In this world right now, theres not a lot of people putting kindness first."

Once a month, the Rubys Pantry pop-up site operated out of the Community Churchs basement and parking lot in West Bend, giving out groceries to families who needed it. There is also a site in Hartford.

Watch: Unexpected closure of Ruby's Pantry in West Bend leaves families and volunteers searching for answers

For families like Melissa Santamaria, the closure is sad. She said the pantry was special because guests did not feel shame when asking for help.

"We have 11 children, so it was always a nice option for us to feed our children," Satamaria said. "I think it was nice to have an organization where you didnt have to provide documentation of your income."

Reichard does not know exactly why the organization closed so fast, but she believes it has to do with finances, a structure change and new leadership. TMJ4 News tried calling the Minnesota team during business hours, but the voicemail box was full and the website appears to have been closed.

"We understand you need the food, we do, but understand we need you just as much as you need us. Good thing for the Kleenex," Reichard said. "Im grieving. Im totally grieving, but Hes got it... So it will all be fine in the end."

As for what is next, Reichard does not know, but she said she will find another way to help people.

"Its going to strengthen us," she said. "And were just going to want to do more."

Nothing is changing for Community Church attendees. The facility only served as a location for the pop-up site, and Reichard still encouraged people to join her for services.

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Early voting is happening right now in Germantown, where voters are discussing the issues that matter to them in the school board election.

There are two Germantown School District seats open, with four candidates competing for the spots. Anne Utech and Kimberly Higginbotham are running for seat three. Richard Yu and Molly Bussie are running for seat five.

"This is important," Charles Wade said. "This is our kids and all of our fellow community members."

WATCH: Early voting is happening right now in Germantown. Here's what voters are discussing.

Wade is a Germantown parent who wants to see a change.

"It seems like we could improve on transparency, and thats a concern for me," he said. "We all want transparency. Make sure whatever candidate you vote for believes in full transparency."

Voter Gail Douss does not want to see much change.

"I think the current school board has been very transparent," she said. "I love the school board we have currently. So, I try to stay within that same realm of who they think is good and who they recommend. Then I do research on the person myself because I like to be informed."

Others feel concerned about the district's budget.

"It seems like things right now have just gotten a little out of control with the spending," Mike Felske said. "Im just trying to hold in on the reins with the spending and try to keep our property taxes reasonable."

Everyone TMJ4 News spoke with said more people in the community should research the candidates and make their voices heard.

"I feel its very important," Germantown resident Anne Maas said. "If people complain about things, you shouldve voted, because its your fault that it is that way, because you didnt give your input."

Friday is the last day for early in-person voting. The election is on Tuesday, with polls open until 8 p.m.

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Since 1970, there have been two public high schools in West Bend sharing one building: the East High Suns and the West High Spartans. Now, students are reacting to the school board's unanimous vote to combine the two schools.

The current sophomore class will be the first to graduate from the combined school when they officially merge in the 2027-28 school year.

"Im worried about it, just because I dont like the unknown," East sophomore Sophie Roberts said. "I just want to make sure that the student body isnt affected in any negative ways towards it."

The school board voted to combine the schools due to a decline in enrollment and an increase in the cost to run the schools. The school district says combining all sports will end up saving $1 million each year.

Watch: West Bend students prepare for East and West high schools to combine

Students said they understand the combination is cost-saving and necessary, but they want that money to go toward renovating the building and updating what they call outdated facilities.

"I feel like in the long run it will be good for the school," West senior Anna Popp said. "When they try out for a cut sport, are they going to lose their varsity spot because now theyre competing against twice the number of people?"

Students also understand athletics and school culture are about to change, despite years of an internal and celebrated rivalry.

"There is a big culture in East versus West," East sophomore Laine Colclough said. 'From elementary school, we were always saying East is the beast, West is the least, and stuff like that."

"I have enjoyed the East versus West rivalry," Popp said. "But I think the school will be okay without it."

Some classes, student groups and sports with fewer participants are already combined, but in two years, all students will be together.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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The West Bend Fire Department responded to a report of a chimney fire that had expanded to the east side exterior of the single-family two-story home in the Town of Barton on Saturday evening.

A citizen who was driving near the home saw that there was an active fire on the side of it and called 911. They then contacted the homeowner who was still inside and had no idea that the residence was on fire.

At the time of the fire, there were two occupants and four dogs. They were all able to evacuate the home safely.

According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the occupants did have an active fire in the fireplace.

The West Bend Fire Department were able to extinguish the fire quickly. The fire was contained to the chimney area and the interior of the home sustained only minor smoke damage.

The exterior of the home on the east side also sustained minor smoke damage along with the roof and chimney.

There were no injuries to civilians or first responders.

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A man charged with 19 gun and drug felony charges while living at a West Bend Girl Scout camp appeared in court Friday, where a judge granted a four-year restraining order against him for domestic abuse.

Paul Henry David's wife, who ran Camp Silver Brook, claims he physically abused her on March 15 at their home on the campground property.

"I do find that the credible testimony and the exhibits sufficiently established that. has met her low burden of establishing reasonable grounds to believe that the respondent engaged in domestic abuse," Honorable Michael Kenitz said. So, for those reasons, I am going to grant the injunction. I find her testimony was credible, and I adopted her testimony for purposes of this hearing.

Watch: Man living at West Bend Girl Scout camp receives restraining order amid 19 gun and drug charges

According to court documents, David is also accused of illegally possessing guns and drugs on the camp property. He is currently out on bond while those criminal charges are pending.

After court wrapped, Washington County reporter Marcus Aarsvold tried speaking with David and his attorney, Joshua Uller, about concerns from parents whose children attended the camp.

"No comment," Uller said. "No. Theres no reason for parents to be concerned."

David will be back in court on May 6 for a hearing regarding the criminal case.

Typically, TMJ4 News does not cover domestic abuse; however, due to the publics concern about their children attending this camp, the editorial team decided to have a reporter in court.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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