Before Schendel Pest Control became known for dependable pest control, its founders, Bill and Mary Schendel, were simply people who looked out for others. They helped neighbors, supported church events, and found meaningful ways to lend a hand. When they started the company more than seventy years ago, that sense of care became part of its foundation.
Their example continues to guide Schendel Pest Control today. Owner Bill Schendel views his business as both a livelihood and a way to serve. The same commitment that goes into maintaining safe and clean spaces also shapes how the team approaches community involvement.
Helping Where It Matters Most
Schendel Pest Control contributes to organizations that make a lasting difference in Marshalltown and surrounding areas. The company donates to the Marshall County Historical Society to help preserve local history and to the Iowa River Hospice to support families facing serious illness.
We also back community traditions such as the annual Oktemberfest celebration, where residents gather to mark the change of seasons. During this year’s parade, the team brought both a 1955 and a 2025 truck, a nod to seventy years of steady service.
Beyond financial donations, the company offers help where it can do the most good. We provide free pest control services for the local Emergency Food Box, keeping storage areas clean and safe for families in need. When schools identify households struggling to afford essential services, we help with discounted or donated treatments.
The People Behind the Effort
Community work at Schendel Pest Control is driven by our employees. Many of them volunteer in ways that fit naturally into their own lives. One technician coaches a high school basketball team. Another coordinates a local food bank that serves hundreds of families throughout the year. Others lead youth programs or participate in church-based outreach for teens. One of our employees recently joined a missions trip to the Dominican Republic, supported in part by the company.
Extending Care Beyond Borders
That spirit of service also reaches beyond the United States. For more than a decade, Schendel Pest Control has supported Jonathan’s House, an orphanage in Africa that provides housing, food, and education for children. The company supplies pest control products at no charge to help maintain sanitary living conditions.
The partnership began with a simple question: how can a local business help another community live better? The answer was to share what the company knows best: protecting spaces where people eat and sleep.
Giving During the Holidays
Each winter, the company’s outreach grows alongside the season’s needs. We contribute to the Salvation Army and the Morning Optimist Club, organizations that provide meals, clothing, and assistance to local families. Many of our employees join food drives and church programs.
The company also donates to the Ronald McDonald Fund, because we know how vital it is for families to stay together when a child is in the hospital. Every effort, whether local or global, reflects the same belief that care should be tangible and ongoing.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
More than seventy years after Bill and Mary Schendel began their work, their values remain the company’s foundation. Schendel Pest Control continues to grow, but its priorities stay consistent: serve customers well, care for employees, and invest in the community.
The team plans to keep building on that foundation by supporting local projects, maintaining long-term partnerships, and finding new ways to make practical contributions. Holiday outreach is one part of that mission, but the effort continues throughout the year in food pantries, church programs, youth activities, and the events that define our community.