Parent Organization: West Des Moines Human Services
Location Information
139 6th Street, West Des Moines, IA, USA
Phone 5152223660 | Fax 5152223669
Program: Private: Thanksgiving Meals and Food
Services:
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Program: Clothing Closet
The closet has clothes for adult men and women of all sizes as well as warmer clothing and winter accessories during cold weather.
Services:
- Clothing
Eligibility:
The clothing closet is open to anyone in the community in need of clothes.
Intake Process:
Contact Melissa Gradischnig at (515) 564-5752 or melissag@centraliowashelter.org for more information.
Hours:
Call for daily schedule
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Website: View Website
Program: Emergency Financial Assistance
Emergency Financial Assistance provides partial payments in a crisis situation towards monthly rent payments, gas/electric and water utility bills, or fuel along with assistance in working with related organizations/agencies. Budgeting assistance is also available to qualifying service area households.
Services:
- Rent/Evictions & Mortgage:
- Financial assistance for a partial payment of monthly rent/mortgage or a deposit
- Assistance in working with landlords
- Referrals to outside agencies for additional funding if needed
- Gas/Electric Utility Crisis/Disconnections:
- Financial assistance for a partial payment of a MidAmerican Energy or other utility bill to avoid disconnection or for reconnection of service
- Assistance in working with MidAmerican Energy or other utility to set up a payment arrangement
- Referrals to outside agencies for additional funding if needed
- Water Crisis/Disconnections:
- Financial assistance for a partial payment of a WDM Water Works bill to avoid disconnection or for reconnection of service
- Assistance in working with WDM Water Works to set up a payment arrangement for arrears
- Referrals to outside agencies for additional funding if needed
- Gasoline Vouchers:
- Emergency voucher for fuel for necessary transportation to a job or medical appointment
- Must present a valid, current driver's license
- Housing:
- Assistance in working with housing organizations to locate available options (i.e., shelters)
- Referrals to outside agencies for financial assistance if needed
- Does not fund temporary housing (hotels, motels, etc.)
Eligibility:
Income guidelines apply
Serves residents of West Des Moines only
Intake Process:
Call 515-222-3660 or email HumanServices@wdm.iowa.gov for more information or to make an appointment. Walk-ins welcome.
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30 am ‘ 3:00 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am – 12:00 noon
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Website: View Website
This is a Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) food panty. People seeking assistance can visit one of the DMARC food pantries to receive a three-day supply of food once per month. Pantry open hours vary. Please visit dmarcunited.org/food/pantry-locations for the most up-to-date schedules.
West Des Moines Human Services also operates a Personal Care Pantry which provides personal care items such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, laundry detergent, toilet paper, and baby supplies, when available. Dog and cat food is also available.
Services:
- A 3-day supply of food
- Personal care items such as:
- soap
- detergent
- toilet paper
- personal hygiene items
- diapers and wipes
Eligibility:
There are no income or residency requirements for receiving food from the DMARC food pantry.
The Personal Care Pantry serves residents of West Des Moines. Income guidelines apply.
Intake Process:
Individuals may register in-person or online by completing an intake form. Orders can be made in advance using the online Food Pantry order form.
Provide a photo ID for the head of household and other identification for every member of the family. Some pantries may request a current piece of mail which includes your name and primary address.
Proof of gross income from the last three months is necessary to receive personal care items.
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30 am ‘ 3:00 pm
Wednesday and Friday 8:30 am ‘ 12:00 noon
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Website: View Website
Program: Friendship Connection
Friendship Connection is a club for young adults with special needs, their friends and community members. Participants socialize, play games, exercise, dance, sing, bowl, enjoy refreshments and have fun! Organizations throughout the community also make special presentations on occasion.
Services:
Intake Process:
Fill out membership application on the website. Reservations are required for activities.
Hours:
Thursday from 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Website: View Website
Program: High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)
HiSET tests give adults a chance to earn their jurisdiction's or State's High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma, which certifies they have attained the educational level of a high school graduate. The HiSET test is a series of five tests covering writing, science, math, literature and the arts, and social studies. These tests require the test taker to apply reading, math, language, and critical thinking skills. Tests are taken one at a time, and can be taken in any order, as long as writing and math are not last. Passing the HiSET test series allows student to earn their High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED).
Services:
- HiSET prep classes
- HiSET pre-test
- HiSET exam
Eligibility:
Individuals who want to obtain their State's High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma.
Intake Process:
HiSET students of all ‘ages must be prepared to present a valid government-issued picture ID (e.g., driver's license, state ID, passport) at each official testing session. Contact DMACC to register for orientation.
Payment:
Self Pay
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Program: Private: Holiday Toys and Gifts
Bidwell Riverside Center offers a toy pantry during the holiday season. A parent/guardian may choose 1 toy for each child signed-up. Must pre-register.
Services:
Eligibility:
Families with children ages 18 and younger. No income or area restrictions. Must have received a meal package from Bidwell in November or December 2021.
Intake Process:
Sign-up starts December 1st at the Bidwell Food Pantry during normal pantry hours (Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Choose a time to shop the Toy Pantry upon signing up. Bring photo identification for the adult who picks up toys. Toys will be available on a first come, first served basis. Families can utilize the Toy Pantry as well as Toys for Tots.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) designed to assist low-income families meet the cost of home heating. LIHEAP provides a one-time payment to the heating utility department.
This program is not designed to pay a household’s total energy costs, but to provide assistance in the payment of residential heating costs for eligible households. Households who reside in subsidized housing that are individually metered and responsible for paying their primary heating costs are eligible. Subsidized households that are master metered are usually not eligible to receive assistance benefits
Services:
- Utility payment assistance
Eligibility:
A household may qualify for assistance if the household’s income falls under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Intake Process:
Applications are accepted on a first come/first served basis at a local community action agency from November 1 through April 30 (October 1 for households with elderly/disabled member). Complete the application and return it to the local community action agency. Applications may be available to be completed online through the local community action agency. Applicants must provide proof of income, Social Security numbers for each household member, and the household’s most recent heating or electric bill.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
The Polk County Financial Empowerment Center offers free individualized 1 on 1 coaching sessions to help people reach financial freedom. They also offer free coaching for small businesses and non-profits.
Services:
- Personal finance
- Financial independence
- Credit repair
- Savings
- Debt reduction or elimination
- Financial Fitness BootCamp
- Business development
- Non-profit development
Eligibility:
Open to anyone
Intake Process:
In-person or phone based consultations can be scheduled at empowermeonty.org/book or by calling 515.697.1450. Consultations available in English or Spanish.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
This clinic provides basic medical care and management of chronic medical conditions to uninsured or under-insured individuals; all on-site services are provided free of charge. There is no income verification or requirements to utilize the clinic.
The clinic is a member of Free Clinics of Iowa, the largest network of free medical clinics in the State of Iowa and a donor-supported, not-for-profit organization. Free Clinics of Iowa member clinics provide basic healthcare services through volunteer physicians and nurses.
Services:
- Free medical clinic
Eligibility:
Open to anyone
Intake Process:
Must check in by 7:30 pm. No income verification or requirements to utilize the clinic.
Hours:
Tuesdays 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Individuals must check in by 7:30 pm.
The clinic is closed on all holidays.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Website: View Website
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a program established to help reduce the heating and cooling costs for low income persons, the elderly, disabled, and children, by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. The program also fixes certain health and safety problems in the client's homes, maintains affordable housing for low-income persons, reduces utility cost, and reduces environmental pollution.
Services:
- Insulation in attics, walls, and foundations
- Furnace or venting repairs, and replacements
- Thermostat repairs
- Refrigerator or freezer replacement
- Water heater or venting repairs, and replacements
- Energy efficient lighting
- Other eligible repairs
Eligibility:
Households with an income at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level. If the household is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Family Investment Program (FIP) Assistance, the household is eligible to receive Weatherization services, regardless of income.
Intake Process:
Applications are accepted year round at local community action agencies. Applications for LIHEAP are automatically sent to the Weatherization program. Applications are prioritized based on need. Not every application for LIHEAP will receive services from the Weatherization program.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Program: Private: Winter Coat Giveaway
Winter Coat Giveaway: Free new and gently used coats for children and adults. Distribution takes place at West Des Moines Human Services.
Services:
Eligibility:
Income eligible residents of West Des Moines, Clive, Windsor Heights.
Intake Process:
Appointments can be made by contacting HumanServices@wdm.iowa.gov or calling 515-222-3660. Limited walk-ins available.
Hours:
October 13th and 14th 1:00 to 7:00 p.m.;October 15th 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No