The Well Covenant Church operates a food pantry.

Waukee Area Christian Services (WACS) offers food and medical assistance to those struggling to make ends meet. Supported by area churches, businesses and community organizations, WACS includes a food pantry, free medical clinic, clothing closet, community garden, and seasonal programs.

The Food Bank of Iowa Mobile Pantry Program is designed to provide a flexible food assistance resource in locations that don’t have access to traditional resources. At each mobile pantry distribution, a Food Bank of Iowa truck delivers a customized load of food—produce, meat, bread and non-perishable items are common—to the prearranged mobile pantry site. Local volunteers set up a distribution system that looks much like a farmers market, distributing food to families and individuals in need throughout the scheduled time.

Food Book of Iowa partners with school districts across the state to provide food pantries in area schools. Information about which schools have Food Bank of Iowa pantries is available on the Food Bank of Iowa website.

The Food Bank of Iowa Mobile Pantry Program is designed to provide a flexible food assistance resource in locations that don’t have access to traditional resources. At each mobile pantry distribution, a Food Bank of Iowa truck delivers a customized load of food—produce, meat, bread and non-perishable items are common—to the prearranged mobile pantry site. Local volunteers set up a distribution system that looks much like a farmers market, distributing food to families and individuals in need throughout the scheduled time.

Food Book of Iowa partners with school districts across the state to provide food pantries in area schools. Information about which schools have Food Bank of Iowa pantries is available on the Food Bank of Iowa website.

The Friendship Center has been in existence since 1982 and has been a fixture in the MLK neighborhood of Des Moines, for more than 20 years. The Friendship Center begun through the ministry of the Baptist Convention of Iowa, the center now exists as a nonprofit organization. The Friendship Center offer several services that meet family and individuals’ physical needs in the community.

The Friendship Center offers a food pantry & clothing closet during their monthly Family Game Nights.  Anyone is welcome to participate. The Friendship Center also offers a supplemental Food program to neighbors in the immediate area.  Baby supplies and personal care items may be available as well. English as a Second Language classes are offered with childcare.

The Healthiest State Initiative is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization driven by the goal to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation. By engaging worksites, communities, schools, retail food, organizations, institutions and individuals, we can inspire Iowans and their communities to improve their health and happiness, and ultimately achieve our goal.

Since being established in Des Moines in 1924, the main focus of St. Vincent de Paul’s (SVdP) work is to assist those living in poverty in becoming self-sufficient by helping to remove roadblocks as we walk with them on their journey out of poverty. The Des Moines Council operates two thrift stores, two social services departments, an education center, and a child watch center.

IMPACT Community Action Partnership is one of Iowa’s 16 Community Action Agencies. IMPACT serves residents of Boone, Jasper, Marion, Polk, and Warren Counties.

IMPACT Community Action Partnership is one of Iowa’s 16 Community Action Agencies. IMPACT serves residents of Boone, Jasper, Marion, Polk, and Warren Counties.

Aging Resources of Central Iowa is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3), Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Their goal is to assist older adults in leading independent, dignified, meaningful, and active lives in their communities. Aging Resources staff advocate, coordinate and provide services through federal, state and private funding to persons 60 years of age and older and their caregivers. Aging Resources is a LifeLong Links (Iowa’s Aging and Disability Resource Center) local coordination center providing information referral and assistance to adults with disabilities.

The Area Agencies on Aging respond to the needs of persons aged 60 and over by assessing current needs, services, and programs available to older Iowans. Likewise, AAAs provide information and assistance services to that population and advocate on its behalf.

Since 1985, Urban Dreams has been providing Des Moines’ inner city with a wide range of human service programs in a comfortable and non-threatening environment. Just as the problems that plague the inner city continue to evolve, Urban Dreams continues to change to meet them. Urban Dreams offers programs that are in tune to the unique issues affecting Polk County’s economically depressed areas.

Granger Public Library offers a community refrigerator inside the library. Community refrigerators are open to anyone to take what they need to feed themselves and their family. Members of the local community stock the refrigerators and shelves with perishable and nonperishable items. The availability of items at the refrigerators change daily and throughout the day.

Madison County General Assistance provides assistance to Madison County residents who meet county eligibility guidelines. General Assistance follows the guidelines set forth in the county ordinance established by the Madison County Board of Supervisors. General Assistance provides temporary assistance with basic and special needs. The program serves individuals and families who are at risk due to a temporary crisis and/or a mental or physical disability.

Typically the program may only be used once per calendar year. If already used within the year, an individual can obtain a Notice of Decision declination letter from General Assistance and a list of community resources which may be able to assist with the individual’s need.

General Assistance provides temporary assistance with basic and special needs. The program serves individuals and families who are at risk due to a temporary crisis and/or a mental or physical disability.

Typically the program may only be used once per calendar year.

General Relief provides temporary assistance with basic and special needs. The program serves individuals and families who are at risk due to a temporary crisis and/or a mental or physical disability.

Typically the program may only be used once per calendar year. If already used within the year, an individual can obtain a Notice of Decision declination letter from General Relief and a list of community resources which may be able to assist with the individual’s need.

The Polk County Department of Community, Family & Youth Services manages and provides a variety of direct and purchased services for families and individuals in all age groups.

Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families helps families and individuals improve their financial position and connects them with their work and career goals.

The Center is a partnership between the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, United Way of Central Iowa and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). The partnership is providing solutions to three crucial needs identified by local residents: workforce training, employment opportunities and grocery and retail services.​

West Des Moines Human Services has been assisting low-income, older seniors and disabled residents since 1979. They currently provide assistance to more than 1,600 households in West Des Moines and surrounding western suburbs.

Clive Community Services was approved as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation on December 9, 2014 and opened its doors in August 2016. It was founded by Linda Shanks, Chad Whitmore, and Stephanie Horak in response to a growing level of need in the Crestview School neighborhood.

Their location, within walking distance of Crestview School of Inquiry, is convenient for many in the neighborhood.

Johnston Partnership serves families and individuals in Johnston who are at-risk due to financial insecurity.  They do this by creating programs to address specific needs in community. The Partnership also serves as a catalyst for uniting local organizations and individuals to provide services that are not currently available through other resources.

CROSS Outreach helps families “stay housed” by assisting with rent, deposits, and utility bills. Assistance is limited to once in a 12 month period. Assistance is not guaranteed but will be determined on an individual basis.

CROSS also assists with an array of basic needs including personal hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, bus tokens or passes, and vouchers for the laundromat. Assistance is limited to once in a three month period.

Capitol Hill Lutheran Church is a religious organization that offers services and outreach to the surrounding community.

The Ankeny Service Center (ASC) coordinates human services and referrals for the residents of Ankeny and northern Polk County. Ankeny Service Center exists to serve the underserved in our community by meeting immediate needs, as well as providing a path to success. Ankeny Service Center partners with local service organizations, businesses, and community members.

Above + Beyond Cancer is a public charity with a mission to elevate the lives of those touched by cancer, to create a healthier world. Above + Beyond Cancer is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All Optimal Living Programs and Classes are free to Cancer Survivors. Our programs are also open to Caregivers and the Community. Cancer Patients and Survivors may receive a 12-week YMCA scholarship or MercyOne Health and Fitness Scholarship after a Doctor referral.

African Immigrants & Refugees Transition services (AIRTS) is a non profit organization founded by and for immigrants and refugees from Africa living in Iowa. Since 2016 they have provided immigrants and refugees the resources they need to successfully settle in their new home/community.

The Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency (DMMHA) provides Public Housing rental units for low-income qualified families and administers the Section 8 rental assistance program for Polk County.  These programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing And Urban Development (HUD).

Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority (CIRHA) covers includes the counties of Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion and Story (does not include the cities of Knoxville or Pella).

WCHA’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program allows low-income families to rent quality housing in Warren County via federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Through the HCV Program, WCHA pays a portion of eligible families’ rent each month directly to the property owner. Families can use their vouchers to rent a house or apartment in Warren County throughout the cities of Indianola, New Virginia, Milo, St. Marys, Cumming, Hartford, Lacona, Martensdale, Ackworth, Spring Hill & Sandyville. Because there are more families who need rental assistance than there are funds available, WCHA uses a waiting list to administer the program to eligible families.

Individuals entering a residential-based substance use treatment program need a safe place that will offer education, support, and encouragement to interrupt the cycle of addiction and develop the life skills necessary for productive, healthy lives. Community and Family Resources offers residential treatment opportunities and programming to help clients complete each step of the recovery process. Individualized treatment plans include group therapy, individual counseling, education, and recreation activities to help clients make the transition to a recovery-oriented lifestyle.

Clive Behavioral Health offers a broad range of treatment for individuals who struggle with a behavioral health disorder or co-occurring disorders. Our vision is to provide family-centered care that helps patients achieve a brighter future.

The new 100-bed facility spans more than 83,000 square-feet, with a one-story area for clinical and support services and a three-story unit for inpatient and outpatient services. We welcome our patients into a network of care by partnering with academic, regional and community-based entities.

NA is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to stop using. We suggest that you keep an open mind and give yourself a break. Our program is a set of principles written so simply that we can follow them in our daily lives. The most important thing about them is that they work.

6th floor of the Insurance Exchange Building in downtown Des Moines

We exist to empower people of all gender and sexual identities in all life stages through the provision of quality reproductive health care that includes abortion services, gynecology services, safer sex promotion, and active education. We promote respectful, client-centered and participatory health care through informed decision making, client rights, advocacy and expansion, and support of pregnancy choices.

We offer non-judgmental, quality health care services. Our goals are inspired by our belief in the larger ideals of feminist philosophy: political, economic, and social equality.