ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Pantry Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

City of Marion

Food Pantry Volunteer

Marion, IA · On-site

Food Pantry Coordinator Pay Grade: N/A Location: Marion Public Library JOB SUMMARY The Food Pantry ... ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES/WORK PERFORMED * Assist with receiving, sorting, and inspecting donated food ...

City of Marion, Iowa

Food Pantry Volunteer

Marion, IA · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Food Pantry Coordinator Pay Grade:N/A Location:Marion Public Library JOB SUMMARY The Food Pantry ... ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES/WORK PERFORMED * Assist with receiving, sorting, and inspecting donated food ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPantry JobsPantry Assistant JobsPantry Assistant Jobs in Iowa

Pantry Assistant information

See Iowa salary details

$8

$18

$53

How much do pantry assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for pantry assistant in Iowa is $18.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.64 and $19.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Pantry Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pantry Assistant, you need basic food handling knowledge, organizational skills, and often a food safety certification. Familiarity with inventory management systems, kitchen equipment, and proper storage techniques is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication are valuable soft skills for maintaining an efficient and hygienic pantry environment. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure food safety, prevent waste, and support smooth kitchen operations.

What are the most common challenges faced by Pantry Assistants in a busy kitchen environment?

Pantry Assistants often work in fast-paced settings where multitasking and time management are crucial. One common challenge is maintaining organization and cleanliness while handling multiple requests from chefs and kitchen staff, especially during peak service hours. Additionally, Pantry Assistants need to ensure that food items are properly stored and rotated to meet food safety standards. Building effective communication with team members helps to quickly address any shortages or special dietary requests, which is key to smooth kitchen operations.

What does a Pantry Assistant do?

A Pantry Assistant is responsible for supporting kitchen operations by organizing, stocking, and maintaining pantry supplies. They help ensure that ingredients and food items are readily available for chefs and kitchen staff. Duties may include unpacking deliveries, rotating stock to maintain freshness, maintaining cleanliness, and sometimes assisting with basic food preparation. Pantry Assistants play an important role in keeping the kitchen running smoothly and efficiently. Attention to detail and good organizational skills are essential for this position.

What is the difference between Pantry Assistant vs Kitchen Porter?

AspectPantry AssistantKitchen Porter
ResponsibilitiesPreparing ingredients, organizing pantry, assisting with food prepCleaning dishes, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, basic food prep
Required SkillsBasic food handling, organization skillsCleaning, basic kitchen tasks
Work EnvironmentFood storage areas, prep stationsKitchen, dishwashing areas
CertificationsFood safety knowledge often preferredNone typically required

Both roles support kitchen operations but differ mainly in responsibilities. The Pantry Assistant focuses on food storage and prep assistance, while the Kitchen Porter handles cleaning and dishwashing. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right role based on skills and interests.

What are popular job titles related to Pantry Assistant jobs in Iowa? For Pantry Assistant jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Pantry Assistant jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Pantry Assistant jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Pantry Assistant jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Pantry Assistant job openings:
Pantry Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pantry Assistant job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,879 per year, or $18.7 per hour.
Food Pantry Volunteer

Food Pantry Volunteer

City of Marion

Marion, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

JOB INFORMATION
Department: Marion Public Library
Bargaining Unit: Volunteer
Reports to Position: Food Pantry Coordinator
Pay Grade: N/A
Location: Marion Public Library
JOB SUMMARY
The Food Pantry Volunteer position supports the Marion Public Library's mission to provide a food pantry that offers dignified, efficient, and compassionate service to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. This volunteer position plays an essential role to help ensure community members have access to nutritious food in a respectful and organized environment by sorting and shelving food donations, assembling food boxes, picking food up from distribution partners, delivering food donations to the library, providing quality control by checking dates, maintaining the cleanliness of the pantry areas, and supporting staff with general organization.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES/WORK PERFORMED
  • Assist with receiving, sorting, and inspecting donated food items for quality and expiration dates.
  • Stock shelves, refrigerators, and freezers in an organized and safe manner.
  • Help prepare pre-packaged food boxes or bags for distribution.
  • Greet clients and assist with food selection in a courteous and respectful manner.
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization of pantry, storage areas, and workspaces.
  • Support inventory tracking and notify Food Pantry Coordinator of low stock items.
  • Assist with donation drives, special events, or outreach efforts as needed.
  • Follow all safety, sanitation, and confidentiality guidelines to keep all program attendees and all patrons, stakeholders, and donor information learned while volunteering confidential.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and diverse populations.
  • Ability to work with minimum supervision.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Reliable, punctual, and able to follow directions.
  • Commitment to maintaining client dignity and confidentiality.

WHAT YOU WILL BE TRAINED ON
  • Initial orientation and overview of pantry operations including proper shelving, sorting, and rotation procedures.
  • Confidentiality and Client Privacy Practices.
  • Bias and Empathy Training.
  • Food safety and handling guidelines.
  • Emergency and safety protocols.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Ability to stand, walk, and bend for extended periods.
  • Ability to bend, stoop, reach, stand, push, pull as required.
  • Ability to lift and carry 35 pounds (with or without accommodations) in order to sort and move food items, restock shelves, and assist with donation intake.
  • Ability to work in varying temperatures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
  • Indoor pantry setting with occasional outdoor activities (e.g. donation intake).
  • May involve moderate noise levels and fast-paced distribution periods.

SCHEDULE
  • Flexible based on volunteer availability and pantry hours.
  • May include evenings or weekends depending on pantry operations.

Required Background Checks
  • Criminal Background Check
  • Sex Offender Registry Check
  • Physician sign off on essential duties and physical requirements.

Apply