COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The future of Inprem Food Pantry, located on Karl Rd in Columbus, is uncertain as it is struggling with a tight budget. This comes at the same time that one of its primary providers, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, is implementing a temporary reduction in services for its partner agencies.  Each week, Inprem Food Pantry serves about 1,500 families. However, the pantry will be closed for at least the next 10 days. Its director, Alex Abrokwa-Clottey, hopes to reopen next week but fears that may not be possible.  “For over 10 years, families have seen this place to be a for hope,” said Abrokwa-Clottey. “We will be losing 40% of the produce that Mid-Ohio normally delivers to us, and which cannot operate under those numbers.”  Starting Monday, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, which says it is the largest food bank in the state, will reduce food distribution to agencies by up to 40%. This reduction will continue until April 2nd.  “This is really critical,” said Brad Draper, Senior Vice President of Operations at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. “The systems we are currently operating on were installed many, many years ago when we were a much smaller and less complex organization.”  Draper says the upgrades have been four years in the making. Mid-Ohio Food Collective works with 600 agencies across 20 counties. Each year, it provides more than 84 million pounds of food to families. “We certainly did not ask our partners to close," says Draper. "We do know that some have decided to do so for a week and regroup internally,” Draper said.  Services are expected to return to normal by April 2nd. However, Abrokwa-Clottey is concerned about the future of his pantry.  "We cannot reopen due to the fact that we do not have enough funding to take care of administrative costs," said Abrokwa-Clottey.  He explained that donations and grants have slowed, and the pantry requires about $15,000 a month to operate. He and several volunteers plan to spend the week advocating on the pantry's behalf, hoping to secure enough support to stay open. Without additional funding, Abrokwa-Clottey fears the closure may become permanent.  To learn more about Inprem Food Pantry or to make a donation, visit their website at website or click here to donate.  ...read more read less