Guests and volunteers praise the pantry’s impact as new RSVP check-in process debuts this September.  You can reserve a box here:  https://muscatinechurch.org/event/pantry-pickup-day-sept-2025/

Muscatine, Iowa — The Muscatine Mobile Food Pantry is celebrating a milestone after serving approximately 470 families in August, its first full month at the Muscatine Church of Christ. Thanks to River Bend Food Bank’s dedication to securing more food, the pantry is preparing to serve 500 families in September.

The pantry’s growing reach reflects both the community’s need and the generosity of local volunteers. Recent guest surveys showed overwhelming satisfaction with the program, with many praising the dignity and kindness shown during pickup. One guest wrote, “You don’t just feed us — you make us feel cared for.”

A New Way Forward: RSVP for Fairness

Starting this month, the pantry will introduce a reservation system to improve fairness and efficiency. Families can now reserve their food box online in advance of the monthly distribution.  The pantry will start by allowing up to 200 of the 500 food boxes available to be reserved, the rest will be available for those that show up the day of the distribution.

Here’s how it works:

• Reserve a Box Online: Guests sign up through the Muscatine Church of Christ website here. Each reservation guarantees one food box.  The same limitation of one box per household applies.

• Check in at the Pantry:  You’ll receive an email with a QR code to bring to the pantry.  When a volunteer checks you in, they’ll scan that code or find you on the RSVP list if you don’t have your QR code.

• Normal Check-in Still Available: For those that do not want to or are unable RSVP online, they may still receive a food box as in the past.

• Reminders Sent: Families with reservations receive text or email reminders before the 5:30 p.m. cutoff to reduce missed pickups.

Marci Hallett, part of the pantry leadership team, says the system is about more than logistics — it’s about fairness. “RSVP isn’t about making things complicated,” she explained. “It’s about making things fair. Families who can’t line up early deserve the same chance as everyone else.”

Growing Together

The pantry will hold its next distribution on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Muscatine Church of Christ, 3601 Mulberry Avenue.

With a new RSVP system in place and River Bend Food Bank’s continued support, the Muscatine Mobile Food Pantry is ready to serve more families than ever before.

👉 Call to Action:
To reserve a box or learn more, visit muscatinechurch.org/muscatine-mobile-food-pantry.