Cookie Cupboards

After the Initial Orders, you can place Planned Orders in Smart Cookies to pick up more cookies. There are nearly 20 Cookie Cupboard locations across GSGI. 

To get more cookies, submit a Planned Order in Smart Cookies at the desired Cookie Cupboard, pick up the cookies, and hand them out to your troop members. For step-by-step information on ordering cookies in Smart Cookies, check out the Smart Cookies Manual (found here).

Quick links

Super Cupboards

This section only applies to Ames, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Mason City, and Sioux City. Super Cupboards are metro-area cupboards with Express Ordering options for the first few weeks of the program. 

Express Ordering

At the beginning of the cookie program, you can place Planned Orders in Smart Cookies until noon the day before the pickup date. This is called Express Ordering, and it allows greater flexibility for volunteers and more opportunities for Girl Scouts to have cookies on hand. 

  • Express Orders are in CASES ONLY. 

    Place orders by noon on the following days:

    • Tuesday, February 11

      • For pickup Wednesday, February 12

    • Wednesday, February 12

      • For pickup Thursday, February 13

    • Monday, February 17

      • For pickup Tuesday, February 18

    • Tuesday, February 18

      • For pickup Wednesday, February 19

    • Wednesday, February 19

      • For pickup Thursday, February 20

    Super Cupboard hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    Des Moines Super Cupboard hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    We do our best to accommodate special requests—email us at info@gsiowa.org or give us a call at 800-342-8389 and we’ll work to meet your needs. The Des Moines Super Cupboard opens at 7:30 a.m. to accommodate the heavier early morning traffic. 

  • Orders are in PACKAGES.

    Place orders by 11:59 p.m. on the following days:

    • Sunday, February 23

      • For pickup Thursday, February 27 OR Friday, February 28

    • Sunday, March 2

      • For pickup Thursday, March 6 OR Friday, March 7

    • Sunday, March 9

      • For pickup Thursday, March 13 OR Friday, March 14

    • Sunday, March 16

      • For pickup Thursday, March 20 OR Friday, March 21

    Super Cupboard hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    Des Moines Super Cupboard hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    We do our best to accommodate special requests—email us at info@gsiowa.org or give us a call at 800-342-8389 and we’ll work to meet your needs. The Des Moines Super Cupboard opens at 7:30 a.m. to accommodate the heavier early morning traffic. 

Volunteer and Rolling Cupboards 

Volunteer Cupboards are run by our local volunteers—you’ll find their specific hours, locations, and contact information in Smart Cookies.

Volunteer Cupboard Locations 

Ankeny, Chariton, Lake Mills, Oskaloosa, and Sioux Rapids.   

Rolling Cupboard Locations 

Algona, Carroll, Grinnell/Newton, Iowa Falls, Marshalltown, and Ottumwa. 

Rolling Cupboards are mobile cupboards with a set delivery time at a location such as a grocery store parking lot. 

  • Place orders by 11:59 p.m. on the following days*:

    • Sunday, February 16

    • Sunday, February 23

    • Sunday, March 2

    • Sunday, March 9

    • Sunday, March 16

    *Pickup hours vary. Please see Smart Cookies for specifics.

    We do our best to accommodate special requests—email us at info@gsiowa.org or give us a call at 800-342-8389 and we’ll work to meet your needs.

Troop to Cupboard Exchanges 

You can exchange cookies for an equal quantity of a different variety at Cookie Cupboards, depending on inventory and other Planned Orders. To help ensure the Cookie Cupboard has what you are looking for, place a new Planned Order in Smart Cookies for what you want and bring your exchange cookies at the time of pickup. Please help our Cupboard Managers by letting us know you’re exchanging cookies in your Order Notes at the time you place your Planned Order in Smart Cookies. Walk-in exchanges are not guaranteed. 

You cannot bring back more cookies than you are picking up, and the cookies must be in excellent condition (have not been exposed to pets, smoke, or other damage). If cookies are not in excellent condition, your exchange will be denied. The Cupboard Manager will take care of all transfers in Smart Cookies. 

During Express Ordering, even though you must order in full cases for each variety, you may exchange mixed cases. For example, if you would like to exchange six packages of Trefoils and six packages of lemonades for a full case of Thin Mints, you may do so. The exchanges must total a full case, or 12 total packages of a mix variety. 

Tips For Your Cookie Pickup  

  • Place your Planned Order in Smart Cookies by the order deadline

    PRO TIP! Make sure you’ve communicated an order deadline for troop families to let you know how many cookies they need! 

  • Make sure your vehicle is ready to haul cookies! Cupboard helpers will load cookies into your car. Make sure your space is clear, whether that’s adjusting or stowing your seats, clearing out your trunk, or throwing out trash. 

  • If your order won’t fit in one vehicle, make sure you coordinate with someone to help you out. You’ll want to have all vehicles needed for pick-up arrive at the Cupboard at the same time. 

    Sending a helper? If you’ve delegated cupboard pickup to another volunteer or friend/family, make sure whoever is picking up your order knows the troop number for pickup!

  • You can confirm your pickup date, time, and location in Smart Cookies. You can also view all Cupboard information on The Bridge in the Cookie Cupboard Listings. 

  • Depending on your Cupboard location, you may have a line, especially on February 9 (the first day of Super Cupboards). We do our very best to maintain a smooth and organized pickup experience, but lots of troops and Girl Scouts pick up cookies!

  • Depending on the location, you may be outside or in a warehouse, and you’ll need to step out of your vehicle to count and load cookies.

  • Cupboard helpers will pull your order and ask you to count and sign for each variety BEFORE loading. 

    • If you need additional cookies, you can ask the Cupboard Manager to add to your order, but it will depend on the inventory at that cupboard, and the other orders that day if they can fill a late request. 

    • You will also complete any exchanges at this time. See page 10 of the 2025 Cookie Program Kit for information on exchanging and returning cookies. 

  • Once your vehicle is loaded, you’re good to go! 

    After cookie pick-up, your Planned Order will be approved in Smart Cookies by the Cupboard Manager. This adds the cookies into your troop’s inventory. We process many orders each day, so it may take up to 48 hours for your order to show as approved in Smart Cookies. If you do not see it after 48 hours, please contact us at info@gsiowa.org. 

    Please note, you will still need to transfer cookies to girls once they’re reflected in your inventory!

Risk-Free Cookie Checkout

During Risk-Free Cookie Checkout week, volunteers can pick up all varieties of cookies that are still in stock at Cookie Cupboards. That means you can place a Planned Order on March 16 based on anticipated sales, (including cookie booths), and then return remaining cookies that don’t sell (up to the quantity checked out) on March 24. Here’s how it works: 

  • Place a Planned Order in Smart Cookies by Sunday, March 16. Orders may be subject to change, depending on the remaining GSGI inventory. 

  • Pick up your Planned Order that week (no later than March 21). 

  • Return any cookies left from that order on March 24. You cannot return more cookies than were picked up, but you can return different varieties than what you picked up in that last order. If you exchange cookies at the time you pick up your Risk-Free order, you may only return up to the difference of what you ordered from Risk-Free and what you exchanged at the time of pick up.  

    • For example, if you order 10 cases (120 packages) during Risk-Free Cookie Checkout and exchange 2 cases (24 packages) at your pickup, you will only be able to return up to 8 cases (96 packages) on March 24. 

Please note: Risk-Free Cookie Checkout is designed to help minimize risk, and allow Girl Scouts to reach their goals by continuing to sell in the final days without having leftover cookies at the end of the program. Anyone who participates in Risk-Free Cookie Checkout is eligible to return their remaining inventory only. Please do not accept transfers from a nonparticipating troop or Juliette to return cookies on their behalf. 

If your troop needs a cookie variety that is not in stock* the last week, you can connect with other troops to trade, or direct customers to order online. Select Cookie Cupboards will be open for Risk-Free Cookie Checkout returns on Monday, March 24. Specific hours will be posted on The Bridge and in Shout Outs! 

*Why would some cookies be out of stock? Just as troops are responsible for ordering and managing their inventory, GSGI orders cookies from ABC Bakers throughout the program. GSGI is responsible for all the cookies ordered and prioritizes minimizing residual inventory. 

How Many Will Fit? 

Not sure how many cases you can fit in your vehicle? The numbers below represent the approximate number of cases you can arrange in an average automobile. However, it can vary based on cookie variety and the number passengers or car seats in your vehicle.

  • Compact Car | 35

  • Standard Passenger Car | 60

  • Small SUV | 80

  • Large SUV | 80-120

  • Pickup Truck | 100-120

  • Minivan (with seats) | 140

  • Minivan (no seats) | 180-200

  • U-Haul (10’) | 400

  • U-Haul (12’) | 500