The Muscatine Mobile Food Pantry is preparing for its next Pantry Pickup Day on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, and organizers say this month’s event will serve more families than ever before.

Directions for guests that have not pre-reserved a box online

Following a successful rollout of the new online reservation and time-slot system in October, the pantry will now be able to assist up to 600 households, an increase from 500 last month.

Directions for guests who have pre-reserved a box online

“The reservation system worked incredibly well,” traffic coordinator Chris Brase said. “It helped manage traffic, kept everyone safe, and gave families the peace of mind of knowing a box would be waiting for them.”

Reservation System Continues

Families can once again reserve a food box online and choose a 30-minute pickup time between 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The extended hours are designed to give everyone—from retirees to working parents—a fair chance to access food assistance without long waits or safety concerns on Mulberry Avenue.

Guests who pre-register will have a guaranteed box and will use a separate, faster-moving line at the Muscatine Church of Christ to keep things efficient.

Drive-Up Boxes Still Available

For those who are unable to reserve online, boxes will still be available for drive-up guests beginning at 1:30 p.m. Sign-in for drive-ups will again take place at the Palms Theatre parking lot, where volunteers will register families and direct them to the church as space becomes available.

Organizers ask that guests please not arrive before 1:15 p.m. to help keep the line clear and ensure a smooth flow of traffic.

A Growing Effort

The pantry’s recent growth reflects both the ongoing need in the community and the teamwork that makes it all possible. “We’ve gone from serving about 350 families a few months ago to 600 this month,” Donny Anderson, minister at Muscatine Church of Christ, shared. “It’s food for the community, powered by the community.”

Volunteers will again help direct traffic, greet guests, and load vehicles—using the pantry’s efficient four-at-a-time drive-thru system, which allows a car to be fully loaded about every 30 seconds.

How to Participate

• Reserve your box online: muscatinechurch.org/event/pantry-pickup-day-november-2025/
• Pickup time: 1:30–7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025
• Drive-up check-in: Palms Theatre parking lot (do not arrive before 1:15 p.m.)
• Location: Muscatine Church of Christ

For more information or to volunteer, visit the link above.