The Urbandale Food Pantry welcomes everyone who needs food assistance. You don't have to live in Urbandale, and you don't need to show proof of income.
Bring a current photo ID for every adult (18 and older) in your household. For children under 18, bring some form of ID such as a Social Security card, school ID, or insurance card. A limited amount of USDA food is available if you don't have ID.
As a DMARC-affiliated pantry, you can visit the main pantry once per calendar month to receive a three-day supply of food. The pantry also has a daily Anytime Room where anyone can pick up a limited selection of items such as bread and fresh produce any day the pantry is open, even if you've already made your monthly visit.
Each monthly visit provides about a three-day supply of food. The pantry follows the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and only provides unopened, unexpired food. Slightly past-date items may be offered over the counter, and you can decide for yourself whether to take them. The pantry can get busy and may reach capacity at times, so check their Facebook page for updates before heading over.
Food availability depends on donations, but most days you can expect to find:
The pantry partners with local stores including Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Fresh Thyme, Target, Hy-Vee, and Panera to rescue food that would otherwise be wasted. Fresh bread, fruit, and vegetables are available daily when supplies allow. Gluten-free options are sometimes available too.
Personal care items are also provided at every visit, including:
The pantry is set up like a grocery store. A volunteer will shop alongside you, asking what you're looking for and helping you find food that fits your family's size and dietary needs from what's on the shelves.
The pantry maintains a list of community resources for other needs. Local organizations they point to include United Way 211, IMPACT Community Action Partnership, Aging Resources of Central Iowa, and the Urbandale Community Action Network.
Monetary donations can be made by check payable to Urbandale Food Pantry and mailed to 7901 Douglas Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322. Online giving is available for one-time or recurring monthly gifts through their donation page. Other options include Facebook fundraisers, tribute donations in honor of someone, and legacy giving options such as stocks, IRA charitable rollovers, donor-advised funds, and estate gifts.
Food donations are always welcome. The most needed items include meals in a can, peanut butter, cereal, rice, pasta, soups, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meats, and side dishes. You can also shop an Amazon wish list of needed items for direct delivery to the pantry. Gardeners are invited to donate surplus produce through the Grow to Give program.
Personal care item drives are also appreciated. Items most needed include toilet paper, laundry detergent, shampoo, body wash, cleaning supplies, diapers, and wipes. For donation questions, email info@urbandalefoodpantry.org.
To volunteer, complete an online volunteer application and a free, confidential background check. You'll also need a current email address to communicate with pantry leadership and complete Civil Rights Training before your first shift. Typical shifts run 3 to 3.5 hours and include shopping alongside clients, stocking shelves, and picking up food donations across Polk County.
High school students can join the teen volunteer program without a guardian. Teen shifts are available some weekday afternoons, evenings, and Saturday mornings. Sign up at volunteersignup.org or call 515-251-6688 for more information. Younger children can also volunteer with a legal guardian during non-business hours.
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See pantry page for visit details
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