Having enough to eat is one of the most basic needs—and an important part of building collective well-being in our community.
When people have reliable access to good food, they can focus on learning, working, and building a better future. Food insecurity creates stress and limits opportunities, which affects everyone.
United Way of Story County works with local pantries, meal programs, food drives, and volunteers to make sure no one has to choose between paying bills and putting meals on the table. By making food security a priority, we help families thrive and strengthen our whole community.
Food Assistance in Story County
There are many food and meal assistance options available across Story County. Since hours and guidelines can change, it’s best to call ahead before visiting.
AMES COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Various Locations
Limited to students enrolled in the district and their families. Call your Student & Family Advocate or apply online.
BETHESDA COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
1517 Northwestern Ave, 515-232-6256
Choice pantry & clothing closet
Max. 1 visit per week
Hours
• Tues: 1:00 - 3:00pm, 6:30 - 8:00pm
• Wed: 10:00 - 11:30am
• Thurs: 1:00 - 3:00pm
GOOD NEIGHBOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
613 Clark Ave, 515-292-1449
Emergency food vouchers
By appointment only
MID-IOWA COMMUNITY ACTION (MICA)
230 SE 16th St, 515-956-3333
Choice pantry, home delivery available
Hours
• Mon/Wed/Fri: 10:00am - 3:30pm
• Tues: 12:00 - 3:30pm
THE SALVATION ARMY
703 E Lincoln Way, 515-233-3567 ext. 0
Story County residents only
Pantry: 1 visit per month
Market: 1 visit per week
Food available daily for unhoused clients
Hours
• Mon - Fri: 1:00 - 3:00pm (by appointment)
• Mon - Fri: 3:00 - 3:20pm (walk-in)
FOOD AT FIRST
611 Clark Ave, 515-344-4957
Located inside First Christian Church
Meals and food pantry
Meal Hours
• Sun - Fri: 5:45 - 6:15pm
• Sat: 11:30am - 12:15pm
Pantry Hours
• Mon & Thurs: 4:30 - 5:30pm
• Sat: 10:00 - 11:00am
HEARTLAND MEALS ON WHEELS
515-357-4573
Prepared meals delivered to eligible seniors
Call to set up services
HEARTLAND SENIOR COMMODITY FOOD PROGRAM
515-232-9020
Supplemental food boxes for eligible seniors
Call to set up services
ROMERO HOUSE
709 Clark Ave, 515-337-8088
Meals and hospitality hours
Hours
• Mon - Fri: 1:00 - 4:00pm
• Sun: 10:30am - 4:00pm
THE SHOP STUDENT FOOD PANTRY
MAIN SITE: 306 BEYER HALL
ISU students only
Hours
• Mon & Tues: 12:00 - 5:00pm
• Wed: 2:00 - 7:00pm
SATELLITE LOCATION: 205 SLOSS HOUSE
515-294-4154
Open to all
Hours
• Mon, Tues, Thurs: 10:00am - 3:00pm
• By appointment
CAMBRIDGE FOOD PANTRY
215 2nd St, Cambridge
515-383-4392
Located inside United Methodist Church
Must live in/near Cambridge
May visit every other week
Hours
• Tues: 6:00 - 7:00pm
COLO FOOD PANTRY
602 4th St, Colo
641-377-2534
Located inside United Methodist Church
Hours
• Sat: 9:30 - 10:30am
COLO-NESCO SCHOOL PANTRY
919 West St, Colo
641-377-2282
By appointment
For students enrolled in the district and their families
COLO PUBLIC LIBRARY LITTLE FREE PANTRY
309 Main St, Colo
Open to all
Hours
• Mon - Fri: 10:00am - 6:00pm
• Sat: 10:00am - 4:00pm
GILBERT BACKPACK BUDDIES
515-232-3740
Supplemental food and meals for students enrolled in the district and their families
BALLARD COMMUNITY CLOTHES & FOOD PANTRY
602 N Main Suite 105, Huxley
515-291-3543
Clothing closet and food pantry
Hours
• Wed: 5:00 - 7:00pm
• Sat: 10:00am - 12:00pm
• Sun: 1:00 - 3:00pm
BALLARD HIGH SCHOOL PANTRY
701 Ballard Dr, Huxley
515-291-3543
By appointment only
HUXLEY FOOD PANTRY
7503 E 1st St, Huxley
515-597-2831
Huxley and Kelley residents only
Hours
• Wed: 6:00 - 7:00pm
• Thurs: 10:00 - 11:00am
MAXWELL-COLLINS FOOD PANTRY
221 Main St, Maxwell
515-387-8505 or 515-491-5338
Located in First Presbyterian Church
Maxwell and Collins residents only
Hours
• Third Tuesday: 5:00 - 6:00pm
CUBBIE’S CUPBOARD
1035 15th St, Nevada
515-382-2751
Located inside Nevada Middle School
For students enrolled in the district and their families
Hours
• Wed: 5:00 - 7:30pm
• By appointment
NEVADA COMMUNITY CUPBOARD
1110 11th St, Nevada
515-382-2974
Located in garage of St. Patrick’s Church
Eastern Story County residents only
Hours
• Sat: 10:00 - 11:30am
NEVADA FOOD AT FIRST
1036 7th St, Nevada
515-215-3904
Located inside First United Methodist Church
Prepared meals for pick-up or delivery
Orders must be placed online by 3:30pm
Meal Pick-Up Schedule
• Mon: 5:30 - 6:00pm
• Thurs: 5:30 - 6:00pm
NORSEMAN FOOD PANTRY
206 S Main St, Roland
515-388-4348
Located in Roland-Story Middle School
Supplemental food and meals for students enrolled in the district and their families
Hours
• Sun: 4:00 - 5:00pm
SLATER/SHELDAHL FOOD PANTRY
411 3rd Ave, Slater
515-231-5643 or 515-231-0046
Max. 2 visits per month
Hours
• Tues: 10:00 - 11:00am
• Wed: 7:00 - 8:00pm
LOAVES & FISHES FOOD PANTRY
204 W. Broad St, Story City
Gilbert, Roland, and Story City residents only
Hours
• Sat: 10:00am - 12:00pm
ZEARING-MCCALLSBURG FOOD PANTRY
107 W Main St, Zearing
641-487-7271
Can be visited every other week
Zearing & McCallsburg residents only
Hours
• Wed: 5:00 - 6:30pm
AMES PET FOOD BANK
2521 University Blvd, Suite 123
Max. 1 visit per month
Online application required
Ongoing Programs
BACKPACK PROGRAM
Bags of weekend food. Available in Ballard, Collins, Colo, Nevada, and Roland-Story elementary schools. Contact your school for more information.
CHILD & ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM
Meal reimbursement program for in-home childcare providers. Contact MICA for more information: 641-328-3261.
FOOD ASSISTANCE/SNAP
Food benefits to low-income families to supplement grocery budgets. Apply online, by paper or call 1-855-944-3663.
WOMEN-INFANTS-CHILDREN (WIC)
Supplemental food for pregnant or breastfeeding women and children up to age 5. Call MICA at 515-232-9020.
Take Action
Each year, our annual spring food drive brings the community together to fight hunger and support local families. Volunteers collect food, hygiene items, and monetary donations for pantries across Story County, helping ensure everyone has access to the essentials they need. United is the Way to turn generosity into action and hope into impact.
Despite our efforts to address the problem, we know that the number of people in our county who go to bed hungry at night is much higher than most of our general population recognizes. Because of that, we developed a Hunger Collaboration to work with others in our community to create a plan that educates our communities that there is a need and to work together to significantly reduce the incidence of hunger in our community.
To learn more or join the Hunger Collaboration, email Allegra Selzer, Associate Director of Community Impact.
The Food Pantry Collaboration brings local partners together to make sure families have consistent access to healthy, nourishing food. By working side by side, we reduce gaps, share resources, and reach more people in need—strengthening food security across our community. The Story County Food Pantry Collaboration is convened by UWSC and meets on a quarterly basis. To learn more or join, email Allegra Selzer, Associate Director of Community Impact.
Your generosity helps ensure no one in our community goes hungry. You can donate food directly to any of the pantries listed above, volunteer your time with local pantries or food programs, join us in our annual spring food drive, or make a monetary gift by designating 'Food Drive.' Every contribution makes a lasting difference for families in need.