Building Together: Ulrich Ford Lincoln Launches Pound-for-Pound Food Drive for Pella Community Food Shelf

One pound becomes two. One bag becomes two. And together, a community can make a difference.

This September, Ulrich Ford Lincoln is inviting our customers, neighbors, local businesses and the entire Pella community to join us in supporting the Pella Community Food Shelf through the Ford Building Together Food Drive.

From now through September 30, 2026, we’re collecting non-perishable food donations at Ulrich Ford Lincoln in Pella.

And we’re matching every pound.

For every pound of food donated by the community, Ulrich Ford Lincoln will donate another pound to the Pella Community Food Shelf.

That means a 5-pound donation becomes 10 pounds. Bring in 20 pounds, and together we’ve contributed 40.

No donation is too small. Every can, box and bag helps.

Why We’re Doing It

For Ulrich Ford Lincoln, Pella isn’t simply where we do business. It’s home.

Our family has had the privilege of serving Pella and the surrounding communities since 1935. More than 90 years later, we’re still here because generations of people in this community have chosen to support a local business.

We don’t take that for granted.

“We’ve been fortunate to call Pella home for more than 90 years, and this community has supported our family and our business through all of them,” said Todd Vander Waal, owner of Ulrich Ford Lincoln. “We believe being part of a community means being there for each other. This is a simple way for us to give back, support the important work of the Pella Community Food Shelf, and hopefully make it a little easier for others to give back too. We’re proud to be a part of this community, and we’re looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”

That’s what makes the idea behind Building Together such a natural fit.

Ulrich can contribute food on our own. Our neighbors can contribute on their own. But when we do it together, every donation can go twice as far.

How the Pound-for-Pound Match Works

We’ve kept it simple.

Bring non-perishable food items to Ulrich Ford Lincoln anytime between now and September 30.

We’ll keep track of the weight of the food donated by the community. At the end of the drive, Ulrich Ford Lincoln will match that total pound for pound.

You donate 1 pound. We donate 1 pound. Together, we give 2 pounds.

All food collected through the drive will benefit the Pella Community Food Shelf, helping keep the impact right here in our community.

What Can I Donate?

We’re asking for non-perishable food items that can be safely stored and distributed.

Think of the everyday staples you might keep in your own pantry: canned fruits and vegetables, soup, pasta and pasta sauce, peanut butter, cereal, rice, boxed meals and other shelf-stable foods.

Whether you bring a couple of cans while you’re here for an oil change or fill the back of your vehicle with groceries, it all counts.

Everyone Is Invited to Participate

You don’t have to be an Ulrich Ford Lincoln customer to participate.

In fact, we hope this becomes something the entire community can get behind.

Families, schools, churches, businesses, civic organizations, sports teams and other local groups are all invited to collect food and bring it in.

Want to start a collection at your workplace? We’d love it.

Want to challenge another organization to see who can donate more? Even better.

Want to bring in a single can of food?

We’ll gladly take that, too.

Because when enough people each do something small, the result can become something pretty incredible.

Help Us Fill the Shelves

There’s something special about seeing a community rally around its neighbors.

That’s our goal for the rest of September.

Not simply to collect food, but to give people an easy opportunity to help—and then use our pound-for-pound match to make their generosity go even further.

So the next time you’re grocery shopping, consider adding an extra can, box or bag to your cart.

Then bring it by Ulrich Ford Lincoln.

You bring a pound. We’ll bring a pound. Let’s see what we can build together.

Ford Building Together Food Drive

Benefiting: Pella Community Food Shelf
Dates: Now through September 30, 2026
Drop-Off Location: Ulrich Ford Lincoln
Address: 1130 W 16th St., Pella, IA 50219
Donations: Non-perishable food items
Ulrich Match: One pound donated by Ulrich Ford Lincoln for every pound donated by the community

About Ulrich Ford Lincoln

Ulrich Ford Lincoln has been serving Pella and the surrounding communities since 1935. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Ulrich is a full-service Ford and Lincoln dealership offering new vehicle sales, used vehicle sales, automotive service, parts and a full-service collision center.

Ulrich Ford Lincoln also offers a Lifetime Powertrain Warranty on most qualifying new and pre-owned vehicles, providing eligible customers added peace of mind for as long as they own their vehicle. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the limited warranty.

Ulrich Ford Lincoln — Taking Care of You Since 1935.