The Magnolia Project food pantry, known for its boutique approach to serving families in need, will close March 1 unless someone steps forward to take over operations, founder Regina Gamboa announced this week. The decision comes as Gamboa and her husband, James, refocus their attention on their med ically fragile daughter, who was hospitalized in October and has not fully recovered. “I had been searching and I’m a woman of faith going, God, give me some clarity here,” Gamboa said. “I’m on a rollercoaster.” The Gamboas opened the Imperial Beach pantry in January 2023 after two and a half years of planning, pouring significant personal funds into the project, including a $20,000 floor and expensive California-compliant lighting. The pantry operates with 49 volunteers and serves approximately 60 families daily through an appointment-based system. Unlike traditional food banks, the Magnolia Project resembles a boutique grocery store where clients shop for themselves, choosing items that fit their dietary needs, religious beliefs and cultural preferences. Gamboa said she informed volunteers this week and notified the board Wednesday. She hopes to find someone willing to continue operations, potentially a larger organization like San Diego Food Bank or Feeding San Diego. The Gamboas plan to keep their nonprofit, Project 1:1, active to continue providing food to a local church once a month, but will close the physical Magnolia location if no operator is found by the March deadline. “I would really hate to close the doors,” Gamboa said. “But that’s what we’re going to do if somebody doesn’t take it.” ...read more read less