MUSCATINE, Iowa — Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation—and neither do Muscatine’s nonprofits. This July, a coalition of local organizations is teaming up to fight food insecurity through “Thanksgiving in July,” a community-wide food drive aimed at restocking the shelves of local food pantries during one of their most challenging seasons.
Led by United Way Muscatine County, in partnership with Crossroads, Senior Resources, Trinity Muscatine Public Health, Muscatine Center for Social Action (MCSA), and The Salvation Army of Muscatine County, this coordinated effort will take place the week of July 13–17, 2025. Participating businesses, civic groups, and faith-based organizations are encouraged to collect non-perishable food items throughout the week to help feed neighbors in need.
How to Help:
- Sunday, July 13-Thursday, July 17: Local businesses, civic groups, and faith-based organizations will have collection boxes available for individuals to drop off non-perishable food items.
- Friday, July 18: Crossroads will pick up donations from participating organizations.
- Saturday, July 19 (8:00–11:30 a.m.): Community members can drop off donations at the Crossroads truck in the Hy-Vee parking lot. Volunteers will be on-site to assist with unloading.
- Monday, July 21: All food will be sorted, weighed, and distributed to The Salvation Army of Muscatine County, MCSA, Muskie Locker, and Senior Resources food pantries.
“Everyone deserves reliable access to nutritious food,” said Mason Kopf, Program Manager at United Way Muscatine County. “Right now, 4,860 Muscatine County residents are food insecure, including one in six children. That’s unacceptable. With your help, we can ensure local families don’t have to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table.”
In 2024, MCSA’s food pantry alone distributed more than 25,000 pounds of food — 100 percent of which came from generous community donations. In fact, 100 percent of the food distributed from all local food pantries comes from donations. As grocery prices continue to rise, the need for support has only grown.
“The Salvation Army is grateful for United Way’s Thanksgiving in July food drive,” said Tammy Fisher, Food Pantry Coordinator at The Salvation Army of Muscatine County. “There are many in our community that struggle with food insecurity, and as grocery prices increase so do our numbers. Your donations provide relief to a wide population, including singles, single-parent families, two-parent families, and the elderly.
“Hunger has no boundaries,” Fisher said. “Everyone needs to eat to sustain life. No matter how big or small the donation, it DOES make a difference! We are proud to be a part of a community that has a heart for people. Thank you so much to all who contribute to this worthy cause.”
Cash donations are also welcome and allow pantries to purchase bulk food at lower costs, multiplying the impact of each dollar given.
To register your organization as a collection site or for more information, contact Mason Kopf at 563-223-8497 or mason@unitedwaymuscatine.org.
![]("blob:https://www.muscatineiowa.gov/64b7606b-26b3-4ffa-8d24-20a9be8a3b95")
Let’s come together this July to fight hunger—and bring the spirit of Thanksgiving to our community all year long.
About United Way Muscatine County: United Way Muscatine County is a nonprofit organization with a mission to mobilize resources to empower the greater Muscatine community to improve the lives of people in need. Through partnerships with local organizations, United Way Muscatine County focuses on increasing household independence through education and housing. The organization mobilizes volunteers, donors, and advocates to make a lasting difference across the whole county.
Media Contact:
Hilary Henke
Community Engagement Manager
United Way Muscatine County
hilary@unitedwaymuscatine.org
615 Cedar Street Suite 200
Muscatine IA 52761
563-263-5963