Dial 211 or go to www.211.org for information on how to connect with local resources by name or category.
Iowa Concern Hotline’s Teen Line at 1-800-443-8336 offers someone to talk to for youth dealing with stressful situations.
Emergency Residence Project 515-232-8075
225 South Kellogg Avenue, Ames
Provides emergency shelter, transitional living, and homeless prevention assistance for families or adults. WEBSITE
Lighthouse Homes and Transitional Living Program 515-233-3141
125 South 3rd Street, Ames
Youth between the ages of 16 and 21 who are homeless and non-system involved are eligible. Provides a stable living environment and other important resources. WEBSITE
Mainstream Living 515-232-8405
2012 E 13th Street, Ames
Provides services to those with mental illness or intellectual disabilities. Offers supported community living as well as a transition program for ages 18-25. WEBSITE
Food at First 515-232-5766
First Christian Church 611 Clark Avenue, Ames
Serves one meal every day of the week, Sun-Fri 5:45-6:15pm and lunch on Saturday 11:30am-12pm. WEBSITE
611 Clark Avenue and 3626 Ontario Street, Ames
Food Pantry distributions are 4:45-5:30pm on Mondays and Thursdays at the Clark location and 10-10:30am on Saturdays at both locations. WEBSITE
Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) 515-956-3333
230 SE 16th Street, Ames
Food pantry open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm. It can only be visited once a month and a current photo ID showing proof of residence in Story County is required. WEBSITE
Bethesda Lutheran Church 515-232-6256
1517 Northwestern Avenue, Ames
Food pantry open Mon/Wed 9-11am, Tue/Thurs 1-3pm, and Tuesdays 6:30-8pm. It can only be visited once a month and photo ID is required. Use the west entrance.
Clothing provided Mondays 9:30-11am and Tuesdays 6:30-8pm. Enter through the west double doors and go to the basement. Bring a photo ID. WEBSITE
Calvary United Methodist Church 515-232-6329
1403 24th Street, Ames
Food pantry open Tuesdays 2-3:30, it can be visited once a month.
Grand Avenue Baptist Church 515-232-8803
612 24th Street, Ames
Food pantry open 5:30-7pm on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month.
Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance 515-296-1449
613 Clark Avenue, Ames
Food vouchers available Mon-Fri 9-11:45am. Vouchers can be obtained once a quarter after showing photo ID and proof of Story County residence. WEBSITE
Salvation Army 515-233-3567
703 E Lincoln Way
Food and personal items available Mon-Fri 1-3pm, once a month with photo ID and social security card.
Shared Blessings at North Presbyterian Church 515-233-2540
1416 20th Street, Ames
Provides toilet paper, diapers, wipes, and laundry detergent while supplies last on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 1:30pm and the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm.
The SHOP
Food Science Building Room 2616 on ISU campus
Food pantry open to students with ISU IDs on Tue/Thurs 3-6pm and Wed 11am-6pm. WEBSITE
Birthright of Ames 515-292-8414
108 Hayward Avenue, Ames
Provide maternity and baby clothes. Open Mon/Wed/Fri 12-5pm. WEBSITE
Iowa Homeless Youth Center 515-265-1222
1219 Buchanan Street, Des Moines
Buchanan Transitional Living Program for youth ages 16-21. WEBSITE
1216 Martin Luther King Parkway, Des Moines
Lighthouse Transitional Living Program for homeless pregnant and/or parenting young mothers ages 16-25 and their children. WEBSITE
Street Outreach Vans assist youth each night by providing immediate assistance, including shelter. They can be reached 24/7 at 515-249-1443.
Youth Emergency Services & Shelter 515-282-9377
918 SE 11th Street, Des Moines
The shelter provides assistance to children from newborns up to 17 years of age. They also assist families with children. WEBSITE
Ruth Harbor 515-279-4661
534 42nd Street, Des Moines
Faith-based organization that provides a comprehensive program and housing for women up to 24 years of age who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. WEBSITE
House of Mercy 515-643-6500
1409 Clark Street, Des Moines
In Touch With Teens (515-643-6522) serves female youth ages 13-18 who have a behavioral-medical need, are pregnant, or who are parenting. It’s an adolescent group living environment and teens work on an individualized treatment plan with a counselor. WEBSITE
Permanent Housing Services (515-643-6514) works with homeless women and families that have chemical dependencies and offers them a supportive environment while teaching them skills needed for independence. WEBSITE
Bethel Mission 515-244-5445
1310 6th Avenue, Des Moines
A 110 bed emergency shelter for homeless men. WEBSITE
Door of Faith 515-974-0545
6701 SW 9th Street, Des Moines
A 102 bed long-term recovery center for homeless men. WEBSITE
Hope Center for Women and Children 515-264-0144
3333 E University Avenue, Des Moines
A 48 bed facility for homeless women with or without children. WEBSITE
New Directions Shelter 515-244-9748
3001 Grand Avenue, Des Moines
Provides emergency shelter to homeless mothers and children and offers financial independence services. WEBSITE
The Home Connection 515-244-9748
Provides permanent housing for homeless families with children and offers financial independence services. WEBSITE
Freedom for Youth Ministries 515-282-4822
2301 Hickman Road, Des Moines
The Transitions program serves homeless adults ages 18-22 who are committed to changing their lifestyle and participating in a Christian discipleship program. Safe Haven houses females and the Promise House serves males. Both provide long-term transitional housing. WEBSITE
Beacon of Life 515-244-4713
1717 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines
Provides long term transitional housing for homeless women. WEBSITE
Central Iowa Shelter and Services 515-284-5719
1420 Mulberry Street, Des Moines
207 bed shelter for adults that provides some meals, access to a shower and laundry, as well as other services. WEBSITE
Dorothy’s House (For referrals, call 515-777-4383)
A home for female survivors of human trafficking. WEBSITE
Mainstream Living 515-243-8115
333 SW 9th Street, Des Moines
Provides services to those with mental illness or intellectual disabilities. Offers supported community living as well as a transition program for ages 18-25. WEBSITE
Hope Café 515-244-5445
1310 6th Avenue, Des Moines
Provides three FREE meals every day of the year to anyone in need. Monday-Saturday at 7am, 12pm, and 5pm Sundays at 8am, 1:30pm, and 5pm. WEBSITE
Iowa Homeless Youth Center 515-265-1222
701 Grand Avenue, Des Moines
The Drop-In Center is open daily for youth. They provide meals, showers, a food pantry, laundry, and referrals for other needed services. WEBSITE
Central Iowa Shelter and Services Food Pantry and Clothing Closet 515-284-5719
1420 Mulberry Street, Des Moines
Food pantry open Sundays 9-11am, Mondays 5:30-7:30pm, Tuesdays 12-2pm and 5:30-7:30pm, Thursdays 12-2pm, and Fridays 1-4pm. Can be visited once per month. WEBSITE
Clothing closet open Sundays 9-11am, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 10am-1:30pm, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays 5:30-7:30pm, Wednesdays 10am-1:30pm, 5:30-7:30pm, and Saturdays 9-11am. WEBSITE
Creative Visions 515-244-4003
1343 13th Street, Des Moines
Provides a free, hot meal every Sunday. WEBSITE
The Tuesday and Thursday Food Pantry donates a box to about 25 qualifying families each week. WEBSITE
Children and Family Urban Movement’s Supper Club 515-288-5253
1548 8th Street, Des Moines
Serves an evening meal Mon-Sat from 4:45-5:30pm, it opens at 4:30pm. WEBSITE
Bidwell Riverside Center 515-244-6251
1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines
Food and clothing pantry hours are Mon 10am-1pm, Tues 12-5pm, and Wed-Fri 10am-3pm. WEBSITE
Amazing Grace Ministries 515-277-9062
1903 53rd Street, Des Moines
Emergency food and clothing pantry open Saturdays 11am-1pm, please use the North door. Food pantry can be visited once every 30 days. WEBSITE
Eastside Church of the Nazarene 515-265-6000
1451 E 25th Street, Des Moines
Food pantry can be visited Tuesday or Thursday mornings once every 3 months to residents in the 50316 or 50317 zip code areas. Walk ins are not allowed, call to make a same day appointment at 9am on Tuesday or Thursday. Photo ID and proof of residence is required. WEBSITE
Experience Church 515-262-7302
3800 E Douglas Avenue, Des Moines
Food pantry offered to residents of 50317 zip code area on Tuesdays 9:30-11:30am and the second Saturday of each month at 10am by appointment only. WEBSITE
Clothing closet open Tuesdays 9:30-11:30am (no appointment needed).
Friendship Baptist Center 515-244-1701
1526 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Des Moines
Clothing closet open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9:30am-12pm.
Monthly food distribution on the last Thursday of each month (typically) 4:30-5:30pm.
Community meals are provided once a month, usually the last Saturday of the month.
Primary Healthcare Outreach 515-248-1850
1200 University Avenue, Des Moines
A food pantry and clothing closet are located on the first floor. WEBSITE
Temple Corps Community Center 515-282-3422
1326-1330 Sixth Avenue, Des Moines
Food pantry open Mon-Fri 10am-12pm and 1-3pm. WEBSITE
The Citadel Corps Community Center 515-266-3156
1216 E 25th Court, Des Moines
Food pantry open Mon/Wed/Thurs/Fri 9:30am-12pm, 1-3:30pm and Tuesdays 1-3:30pm. WEBSITE
St. Mary Family Center 515-262-7290
1815 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines
Food and clothing pantry open Mon-Fri 10am-3:30pm. WEBSITE
St. Theresa Catholic Church 515-279-4654
1230 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines
Food pantry open Mon-Wed 10am-2pm. The church office is located north of the church, ring the doorbell to be served. WEBSITE
St. Vincent DePaul Society 515-282-8327 (Social Services Department)
1426 Sixth Avenue, Des Moines (second floor)
Food and clothing assistance is provided to those who schedule appointments in person at 8am Mon-Fri. The pantry is open Mon-Fri 9am-3pm and the first and third Tuesdays of the month 5-7:30pm. Must bring social security card and a photo ID. WEBSITE
AMP is a youth-driven, statewide group that seeks to unleash the full potential for personal growth among foster and adoptive children in Iowa. AMP offers leadership opportunities, service learning projects, speaking opportunities, and educational/vocational assistance. AMP also provides the life skills youth need to become self-sufficient, independent adults.
| Ames | Eldora State Training School |
| Burlington | Fort Dodge |
| Cedar Rapids | Marshalltown |
| Council Bluffs | Mason City |
| Davenport | Ottumwa |
| Des Moines/Mobile | Sioux City |
| Dubuque | Waterloo |
