The Urbandale Food Pantry reopened this week following a two‑week shutdown for a series of infrastructure upgrades. The most visible change is a larger, resurfaced parking lot that now offers 44 spaces, up from the previous 30, giving visitors more room to park safely while they collect food assistance.
Safety enhancements added
In addition to the expanded lot, crews installed concrete bollards in front of the building to protect the entrance from accidental vehicle impacts. A new light pole is slated for installation later this month to improve illumination after dark, an important upgrade because the pantry remains open until 6:30 p.m. each day.
Community response
Long‑time patron Lonnie Florence welcomed the improvements, noting that the old lot’s potholes had caused wear and tear on his vehicle. “It was just a hard stress,” Florence said of the closure. “Had some family members in to help out… But now that they’re back open and I’m about to get some more hours at work, it works hand in hand.”
Pantry CEO Patty Sneddon‑Kisting echoed the sentiment, saying staff and visitors have been eager to return. “We’ve gotten a lot of, ‘We missed you. We’re so excited you’re back open,’” Sneddon‑Kisting said. “And we’re just happy to be here.”
Continuing the mission during the shutdown
Even while the lot was closed, the pantry continued its food‑rescue operations, processing roughly 15,000 pounds of food for partner pantries and community refrigerators. “We knew that they were going to be seeing an increase in the number of families they were serving, so we really wanted to take this time to support them,” Sneddon‑Kisting explained.
The upgrades are part of an ongoing effort to make the pantry more accessible and secure for the families it serves. With the larger lot and added safety measures, volunteers and clients can focus on the pantry’s core mission—providing nutritious food to those in need—without worrying about parking challenges or safety concerns.
Looking ahead
Pantry leadership plans to monitor the impact of the new parking capacity and safety features over the coming months, adjusting operations as needed to best serve the Urbandale community. The improvements reflect a broader commitment by local nonprofits to invest in infrastructure that supports families and upholds the values of service, stewardship, and community resilience.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
