In 2023, 5,310 people in Muscatine County couldn’t afford enough food—a 63% increase from two years earlier. That’s 1 in 8 neighbors.
The numbers explain part of why: groceries cost more, wages haven’t kept up, and an average meal runs $3.47 here. For families facing a shortfall, that adds up to $3.5 million in food they can’t afford to buy this year.
How River Bend Food Bank Responds
River Bend Food Bank, based in the Quad Cities, sources and delivers food to pantries across eastern Iowa—including eight partners right here in Muscatine County:
- Muscatine Center for Social Action
- The Salvation Army of Muscatine County
- Island United Methodist Church (Fruitland)
- West Liberty Voluntary Action Center Food Pantry
- Durant/Wilton Food Pantry
- First Church United (West Liberty)
- Pearl City Outreach
- Muscatine Church of Christ
The organization also supplies the Muscatine Mobile Food Pantry, now hosted by Muscatine Church of Christ. In August 2025—the pantry’s first full month at its new location—it served 470 families. The pantry now serves up to 500 families monthly.
Mobile Pantry: Reserve a Box or Show Up
Starting in September 2025, families can reserve a food box online. Reservations guarantee a box and reduce wait times.
- When: First Tuesday of each month, 4:00–6:00 PM
- Where: Muscatine Church of Christ, 3603 N Mulberry Ave
- Reserve online: muscatinechurch.org/muscatine-mobile-food-pantry
- Walk-up still available: You can show up without a reservation. Boxes are available for both reserved and walk-up guests (one box per household).
You’ll get a QR code by email if you reserve. Bring it to the pantry or they’ll find you on the list.
The Local Connection
Gretchen Nollman, River Bend’s Director of Operations and Food Sourcing, is from West Liberty. She’s a member of the West Liberty Rotary Club and stays involved in Muscatine County community work.
“We want to be able to offer the green food—that very nutritious food—and it’s very expensive,” Nollman told WQAD in 2024 when discussing a state pilot program that helps River Bend buy Iowa-grown produce and protein.
River Bend can make five meals for every dollar it spends. With strategic sourcing and partnerships with Iowa farmers, Nollman and her team work to get fresh food into Muscatine County pantries.
What You Need to Know
- Find a pantry: See the complete list of Muscatine County food pantries with hours, addresses, and contact info
- Mobile Pantry schedule: Check upcoming distribution dates
- Reserve a box: Visit muscatinechurch.org/muscatine-mobile-food-pantry
- No ID required: Most pantries don’t require proof of income or residency
Half of people facing food insecurity in Muscatine County earn too much to qualify for SNAP. Food pantries exist to fill that gap—and they’re open to anyone who needs groceries.
Why This Matters Now
Three data points tell the story:
- 2021: 3,290 food insecure (7.6%)
- 2022: 4,860 food insecure (11.3%)
- 2023: 5,310 food insecure (12.4%)
Food insecurity in Muscatine County spiked 61% in just two years. This isn’t about individual circumstances—it’s about system-level factors like inflation, housing costs, and stagnant wages hitting households hard and fast.
The Mobile Pantry moved to Muscatine Church of Christ in summer 2025 and immediately saw record numbers: 470 boxes in August alone. The RSVP system launched in September to handle growing demand while keeping distribution safe and efficient.
Gretchen Nollman’s team sources strategically, partners locally, and stretches every dollar. That work matters because Muscatine County families are watching grocery prices climb while their paychecks don’t.
