Resource Directory

The Family Help Guide is designed to help you locate community resources and support services across central Iowa. The amount of information and resources available in our community can be overwhelming to access, we can help you navigate the search. This directory includes resources and information about the people and programs available in your area to support and empower you. 
Displaying locations 21 - 30 of 170

Bidwell Pantry operates 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.

Bidwell Pantry has additional daily food items available. Bidwell Pantry also provides clothing, and household items. All services are first come, first served.

  • DMARC Food Packages
    • Three-day supply of food available once per month
  • Daily food items
    • Bread & pastries
    • Extra Produce
    • Meals From the Heartland
    • Other food donations
  • Clothing
  • Toiletries/personal hygiene items (when available)
  • Diapers, wipes, formula, baby food (when available)
  • Household items (when available)

Eligibility:

Open to anyone. Bidwell is a no-boundary pantry.

Intake Process:

Provide identification (ID) for the head of household.  ID types are flexible, see the website for forms of ID. If possible, please bring identification for each member of the household. If you are unable to provide an ID, a limited amount of food is available.

Appointments are not necessary, please check in when you arrive.

 

Hours:

Food & Clothing Pantry Hours:

Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

*Last check-in is at 4:45 pm

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: View Website

25

Statewide

Phone 515-421-4021


Can Play provides access to sports and recreation programming for thousands of underserved youth in central Iowa with financial, physical, cognitive, emotional, or chronic health care barriers to play.

  • Courage Programs
    • Adaptive sports & fitness, and social programs
    • Kids, teens, and adults with special needs or disability
  • Opportunity Programs
    • No-cost athletic & youth development

Eligibility:

Eligibility requirements vary by program. Contact Can Play to determine which program fits your needs.

Locations available in Ames, Carroll, Des Moines metro, Quad Cities, and Iowa City.

Intake Process:

View programs on Can Play’s website or contact them to learn more.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: View Website


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

  • Clothing closet
    • Adult & children sizes
    • Toys & books for children
    • Small housewares (dishes, pots, pans, tableware)
    • Home decor
    • Hygiene items

Eligibility:

Open to anyone.

Hours:

Tuesdays 1:30 – 3:30 pm

*closed on Holidays & days adjacent to holidays

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: View Website


With Care for Yourself, many women are eligible for free or low-cost breast cancer screenings (clinical breast exams and mammograms), and cervical cancer screenings (Pap testing and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing). Care for Yourself program participants receive local patient navigation services. Coordinators help individuals walk through the breast and/or cervical screening process.

  • Breast cancer screening
  • Cervical cancer screening
  • Educational information about breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings on website
  • Connection to WISEWOMAN cardiovascular screening program for eligible participants.

Eligibility:

Iowans between the ages of 21 and 64 years of age who meet income requirements. Care for Yourself can also make recommendations for individuals that are not eligible to participate in the program.

Intake Process:

Call the Care for Yourself coordinators at 866-339-7909.

Interpreters Available:

Spanish

Hours:

Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Website: View Website


Caring Hands is a network of Christian Churches and community partners serving eastern Polk County. A food pantry is available and can be used once per week.

Financial assistance may be available as well through their Uplift program. Application available on the website.

  • Food pantry
  • Uplift program
    • Financial assistance for clothing, household items, utilities, rent
    • Application on website
    • Available to residents of Southeast Polk or Bondurant School Districts, or residents of Pleasant Hill.

Eligibility:

The Altoona Food Pantry serves people living in the Southeast Polk, Colfax-Mingo, and Bondurant School Districts and all of Pleasant Hill.

Intake Process:

Clients are asked to bring a valid ID and piece of mail for confirmation of residency. Uplift program is available by appointment only, pantry is available without an appointment.

Hours:

Monday – Friday 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm

Saturday 9:00 – 11:00 am

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: View Website


Caring Hands is a network of Christian Churches and community partners serving eastern Polk County. A food pantry is available and can be used once per week.

  • Food pantry

Eligibility:

Community members living anywhere in Polk County.

Intake Process:

Clients are asked to bring a valid ID and piece of mail for confirmation of residency.

Hours:

Tuesday & Wednesday 2:00 – 5:00 pm

Friday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: View Website