Local business provides cold storage solution as pantry serves more than 500 families per month
Weikert Appliance delivers donated commercial refrigerator to the Muscatine Mobile Food Pantry. Pictured: Chris Anderson, Rutger Peiffer, Zach Evans and Chris Brase.
MUSCATINE, Iowa–When the Muscatine Mobile Food Pantry needed a solution to keep food cold longer during extended distribution hours, Weikert Appliance Sales & Service stepped in with a donation that will help the pantry serve its growing client base more safely and efficiently. The family-owned business at 1010 East 9th Street in Muscatine donated a commercial glass-door merchandiser refrigerator to the pantry after pantry leadership reached out seeking advice on cold storage options.
The donation comes as the Mobile Food Pantry has experienced significant growth over the past few, expanding from serving approximately 350 families per month to more than 500, since moving to its new home at Muscatine Church of Christ.
With more families depending on the pantry’s services, organizers faced a practical challenge: longer distribution times to accommodate everyone safely meant they needed reliable cold storage to keep refrigerated and frozen items at proper temperatures throughout extended service hours. The previous setup created traffic backups on Mulberry Avenue, raising safety concerns that prompted pantry leadership to find a solution.
Chris Anderson, part of the pantry operation team, turned to Weikert Appliance for their expertise in commercial and residential refrigeration. “I’ve worked with them before on multiple projects, knew they would have or find a solution,” Anderson explained.
During the conversation, Weikert Appliance manager Amy Peiffer asked if a commercial refrigerator similar to those used in convenience stores might work for the pantry’s needs. When Anderson confirmed it would be ideal and asked about pricing, Peiffer surprised him with an offer to donate the unit.
“We haven’t been using it and were just waiting for a food pantry or someone that needed something like that to come ask for a donation.”
— Amy Peiffer, Weikert Appliance manager
The refrigerator, which features glass doors for easy visibility and interior lighting, had been set aside specifically for a community need like the Mobile Food Pantry. Weikert Appliance delivered the unit shortly after the conversation, allowing the pantry to immediately address its cold storage challenges.
Owned by Mike and Laura Weikert, Weikert Appliance Sales & Service specializes in certified used appliances, offering a 30-day warranty on all purchases and a full range of appliance repair services. They carry everything from residential refrigerators, ranges, and dishwashers to commercial-grade equipment, with particular expertise in appliance diagnostics and repair.
Service remains a cornerstone of their business model, with the team regularly helping customers troubleshoot problems and find cost-effective solutions for their appliance needs.
The donation reflects Weikert Appliance’s approach to being a community resource beyond just sales and service. By maintaining relationships with local organizations and keeping an eye out for opportunities to support community needs, they have built a reputation for both technical expertise and local investment.
Their willingness to advise customers on solutions, even when those conversations don’t immediately lead to sales, has made them a go-to resource for Muscatine residents facing appliance challenges.
For the Mobile Food Pantry, the commercial refrigerator solves an immediate problem while supporting the pantry’s mission to serve Muscatine’s growing number of food-insecure families. With reliable cold storage now in place, the pantry can extend distribution hours without compromising food safety or creating traffic hazards. Anderson noted the donation will make it possible for the pantry to continue expanding its services as community need continues to grow.
For more information about the Muscatine Mobile Food Pantry, including how to reserve a box at the next distribution or volunteer, visit: https://muscatinechurch.org/muscatine-mobile-food-pantry/
