The Little Pink Pantries

03/14/2026

03/14/2026

Hysterical

I don’t think I’m welcome at Costco anymore.
Yesterday, I was in the checkout line with a giant 50-pound bag of Purina dog chow for Necco, my 191-pound “Wonder Dog.”
The woman behind me looked at the bag, then at me, and asked, “Oh! Do you have a dog?”
(What did she think I had—an elephant?)
Since I’m retired and have way too much free time, I decided to have a little fun. I told her, dead serious, “No, I don’t have a dog. I’m going back on the Purina Diet.”
Her eyes widened, so I continued, “Last time I tried it, I lost 50 pounds before I landed in intensive care—tubes everywhere, IVs in both arms. But hey, it works! The diet’s simple: fill your pockets with Purina nuggets and eat a few whenever you feel hungry. Perfectly balanced nutrition.”
By now, everyone in line was listening like I was giving a TED Talk.
The poor woman gasped, “Oh my goodness! Did the dog food poison you?”
I shook my head. “Nope. I just stopped to p*e on a fire hydrant and got hit by a car.”
The guy behind her nearly collapsed from laughing so hard.
And that, my friends, is why Costco doesn’t let me shop there anymore.
Moral of the story? Be careful what you ask retired people… we’ve got nothing but time to come up with nonsense.

03/14/2026

The Little Pink Pantries will be offering sack lunches for kids on Friday 2/20/26 due to Spring Break.

Pick up
Thursday 3/19 5-5:30pm or
Friday 3/20 11-11:30.

Each family will also receive a box of C Clark Frosted Flakes cereal because I got an amazing deal on them and if I have enough donations, I will buy milk as well.

PM Amy Warth Rieckens to order free lunches for your kids.

Extra lunches will be placed in the Free Little pink pantry, the Longfellow Elem free Little pantry and the Douglas/Douglas Ct free Little pantries.

02/26/2026

Stop by 715 Kimball Ave. Iowa City if you are in need of food or hygiene items. It’s the end of the month and a rough time for many!

02/07/2026

Do you live in the Iowa City area? Do you want a volunteer opportunity? I have several large boxes of condoms that need bagged into small baggies. I am willing to complete silver cord paperwork for high school volunteer hours as well.

02/07/2026

The Iowa city library is offering free tax help for those who have low-ish incomes. They will do the simple form for you!

https://ow.ly/vUvZ50Y7Fa4

02/07/2026

The little pink pantries just delivered 160 2 gallon ziplock bags and 1 gallon ziplock bags food and hygiene kits to the Iowa City winter shelter! Donations from amazing people like you made this happen. The unhoused people were so incredibly appreciative!! We will be doing another food distribution to them soon! It made me happy and yet so sad knowing that so many people go to bed hungry each night. They don’t offer meals at all.

11/12/2025

https://forms.gle/d1ZFbDwXhrk9X4Yf9

Do you need a meal or a ride to the Iowa City Pantry?

Meal or ride request to Iowa City Food Pantry

11/06/2025

Old mother Rieckens went to the cupboard this morning and it was nearly bare! People have been respectful about not taking more than they really need too.

11/05/2025

The Free Little Pink Pantries gave out more food than we have ever even come close to today! So thankful to be able to get food right into the hands of those who need it most! Super simple! No paperwork or hoops! FEED the people!