COVID-19 Update:
We accept donations of food and household items by appointment only. Appointments will be available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8am-4pm.
There are 3 ways to request an appointment to drop off an in-kind donation. You can:
- Call the Food Bank at 319-351-0128
- E-mail donations@builtbycommunity.org, or
- Set up an appointment at this link
Donation Drop-Off:
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank
1121 S. Gilbert Court
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 351-0128
Follow the one-way traffic to the loading dock on the northeast side of the building. Enter the double doors marked Donations and a volunteer will assist you.
Top Ten Needed Donations
1. Financial Donations
2. Canned Fruit in Juice
3. Peanut Butter
4. Canned Meat
5. Baby Diapers
6. Baby Formula
7. Rice and Pasta
8. Hearty Soups and Stews
9. Toilet Paper
10. Laundry Detergent
We gladly accept:
- Baby food, formula, diapers, wipes, and other hygiene products
- Some foods that are past the “sell by” or “best if used by” dates
- Slightly dented cans and those with rust that easily rubs off
- Pet food
- Opened laundry detergent, shampoos, etc. that are at least half full
- Properly labeled domestic/wild game that was processed by a state or federally inspected processing plant or meat locker and lists the name of the animal and name/location of the processing facility
- Garden or farm produce that is:
- Free of mold or decay with several days of remaining shelf life
- Properly packed in sturdy containers to prevent damage and bruising
- Sanitary and free of rodents and insects
- Grown using water obtained from a public water system
- Handled only after proper hand-washing procedures
- Wiped free of as much dirt as possible
- Transported using a clean transport vehicle
- Egg donations that are labeled and graded, come from a producer licensed in Iowa, and have been stored consistently at a temperature at or below 45°F.
We cannot accept:
- Baby food past its expiration date
- Cans with sharp dents, bulges, or rust not easily be removed
- Unlabeled food
- Homemade items
- Meat from your freezer
- Non-consumable items like clothing, furniture, cribs, etc. We recommend our partner agencies The Crowded Closet, Goodwill of the Heartland or Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore
