Spencer Food Pantry Collects 1,585 Pounds on April Foods Day

Annual drive brings in food and $3,000 in cash donations for local hunger relief efforts.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:51am

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The Upper Des Moines Food Pantry in Spencer, Iowa collected a total of 1,585 pounds of food and $3,000 in cash donations during their annual 'April Foods Day' drive on Wednesday, April 1st. The event was supported by volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 123 and the local media group Spencer Media Group.

Why it matters

Food drives and community donations are crucial for local food pantries to meet the ongoing demand for hunger relief, especially in smaller towns and rural areas that may not have the same resources as larger cities. The annual April Foods Day event helps stock the shelves at the Upper Des Moines Food Pantry to serve families in need throughout the year.

The details

The Upper Des Moines Food Pantry was able to collect three truckloads of donated food items weighing a total of 1,585 pounds. In addition, the drive also brought in $3,000 in cash donations to further support the pantry's operations. Volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 123 helped collect and sort the donations, while the local media group Spencer Media Group promoted the event to the community.

  • The April Foods Day drive took place on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The players

Upper Des Moines Food Pantry

A local food pantry serving families in need in the Spencer, Iowa area.

Boy Scout Troop 123

A local Boy Scout troop that volunteered to help collect and sort donations for the April Foods Day drive.

Spencer Media Group

A local media organization that promoted the April Foods Day event to the community.

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The takeaway

The success of the April Foods Day drive demonstrates the generosity and community spirit of Spencer residents, who came together to support their local food pantry and ensure families in need have access to nutritious food. Events like this are vital for smaller towns to address food insecurity and build a stronger, more resilient local food system.