GET TO KNOW THE North Liberty Community Pantry
ABOUT
The North Liberty Community Pantry, an outreach ministry of North Liberty First United Methodist Church, serves North Liberty and the surrounding rural areas of Johnson County. Established in 1985, they began by assisting 15 to 20 families each month. Due to the growing community and increased need, it expanded in 2004.
In 2013, The Pantry moved to a new, larger facility to better serve families. In 2015, the Growing Together Garden was introduced, teaching the community about growing food and the importance of fresh, nutritious choices. This initiative also provided volunteer opportunities for those with gardening knowledge.
In 2021, the North Liberty Community Closet opened, offering free clothing, including new socks and underwear, to those in need. This was the first free clothing resource of its kind in Johnson County.
The North Liberty Community Pantry has experienced rapid growth due to increased awareness, population growth in North Liberty, and rising economic need. Today, they serve over 700 local families, distributing more than 400,000 pounds of food, toiletries, laundry detergent, and clothing annually.
OUR TEAM
Meet Our Team at North Liberty Community Pantry
Ryan Bobst, Executive Director
Ryan Bobst, with over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience, is committed to anti-poverty advocacy and has been an adjunct instructor at the University of Iowa. He lives in Iowa City with his family.
Leslie Alvarez, Director of Operations
Leslie Alvarez, a Cedar Rapids native, brings her experience in financial wellness education to the Pantry. She enjoys outdoor activities with her family in North Liberty.
Casey Gaylord, Volunteer Coordinator
Casey Gaylord, a University of Iowa graduate, is passionate about food insecurity and community support. He enjoys playing music and volleyball in his free time.
Anne Miller, Special Projects Coordinator
Anne Miller, with a background in journalism and a Master’s of Divinity, focuses on justice and equity. She loves exploring the outdoors and creative writing.
Laurel Hibbard, Marketing & Development Coordinator
Laurel Hibbard, an Iowa native and Wartburg College graduate, has extensive experience in development and marketing. She enjoys live music, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family and dogs.
Rae Mosier, Family Service Coordinator
Rae Mosier, a long-time volunteer turned staff member, is known for her data expertise and friendly demeanor at the Pantry. She enjoys biking, reading, and spending time with her family and pets.
Grace Katzer, Pantry Shift Lead
Grace Katzer, a journalism student at the University of Iowa, previously managed the pantry’s grocery delivery program and serves as a communications intern with Global Food Project.
Shopping at the Pantry
How to Use Our Pantry
Our pantry uses a “shopping” approach, allowing families to choose the food items they need. We offer canned, packaged, fresh, and frozen foods with few limits on items like meat and toiletries.
Eligibility and Hours:
North Liberty Community Pantry serves residents of North Liberty and rural Johnson County, with some services for Iowa City and Coralville residents. Iowa City and Coralville residents are encouraged to use CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank or the Coralville Community Food Pantry. There are no income requirements.
Hours of Operation:
- Monday, Wednesday, Saturday: 9:30 AM – Noon
- Tuesday, Thursday: 9:30 AM – Noon and 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Services Offered:
- Food Services
- Clothing Distribution
- Confidential record-keeping
Growing Together Garden
About the Growing Together Garden
The Growing Together Garden at North Liberty Community Pantry is a community space designed for hands-on learning and gardening. Located next to the pantry, it offers volunteer opportunities, garden-to-table cooking classes, and a Seed Library in partnership with the North Liberty Library.
Garden Activities and Volunteering:
Open Garden times are Tuesdays from 10-12 a.m. and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. Volunteers can participate in planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting. Group volunteering and garden committee involvement are also encouraged.
Get Involved:
To volunteer, email garden@northlibertycommunitypantry.org. For more details, visit our Growing Together Garden page.
Community Closet
Founded in 2021, The Community Closet offers a selection of in-season clothes and shoes and for all ages throughout the year. Families in the Pantry’s service area can shop for five items of clothing, one pair of underwear, and one pair of socks per family member each month.
The Community Closet is located in the building west of the Pantry’s Growing Together Garden and is open
- Monday-Thursday from 9:30am – 12:00pm
- Tuesday & Thursday from 3:30pm – 6:00pm
- Saturday from 9:30am – 12:00 p.m.
To learn more about this service and the donations that are currently needed, please head to our Community Closet page.
Plant new roots with NLCP
The North Liberty Community Pantry is launching a capital campaign to build a new, larger pantry at 350 W Penn St, North Liberty. This new facility will feature over 10,500 square feet of space, including a large warehouse, spacious shopping area, and improved accommodations for volunteers and staff. The goal is to better serve the growing community’s needs, providing more food and resources efficiently. The campaign and construction are set to begin this summer.
For more details, visit the Plant New Roots campaign page.
DONATE
Support Our Pantry
The North Liberty Community Pantry, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, thrives on community generosity. We gratefully accept in-kind donations of food and clothing, as well as tax-deductible monetary contributions. Join us in making a difference in our community!
Ways to Contribute:
- Recurring Gifts: Set up a recurring donation to provide ongoing support.
- Fundraisers and Drives: Host events to collect donations for the pantry.
- Food and Clothing Donations: Drop off in-kind donations during designated hours.
- Online Store: Purchase items that directly support pantry operations.
- Endowment Fund: Contribute to our long-term sustainability through the Community Foundation of Johnson County.
- United Way Partnership: Partner with us through United Way contributions.
- Giving Tuesday: Participate in our annual Giving Tuesday campaign.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteer at the North Liberty Community Pantry
The North Liberty Community Pantry offers various volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups. No special background is required to volunteer and training will be provided for all tasks. The main requirement is a caring and positive attitude towards others!
Learn how to get started and make a positive impact. Receive orientation and mentoring to smoothly transition into your volunteer role.
Find specific tasks, like data entry, stocking shelves, or helping during pantry hours, with flexible schedules.
Learn about group volunteering options for your business or friend group.
Get answers to common questions about volunteering.