Sign Up to Participate in the 2026 Food Drive!
Food Drive: April 27 - May 7 | Collection Day: May 8
Every spring, our community proves what's possible when people decide to show up for one another. Businesses open their doors. Donations pile up. Volunteers hit the road.
The 2026 United Way Food Drive runs April 27 through May 7, with our big collection day on Friday, May 8. Whether you host a collection site at your workplace, open your doors to the wider community, or spend a Friday morning on our pick-up crew, we need you to make. Every site, every box, every mile driven brings us closer to a community where no one has to wonder where their next meal is coming from.
This is what collective care looks like. This is what belonging feels like. And we'd love to see you there.
Community Collection Sites
Employer Collection Sites
ACPC
Ames Ford Lincoln
Ames Regional Economic Alliance
Availa Bank
Bankers Trust
Center for Creative Justice
ChildServe
Collegiate United Methodist Church
Edwards Elementary School
Elite Property Management
First National Bank
Friedrich Realty
Friendship Ark Homes & Community Services
Haverkamp Group
Hunziker Companies
Little Cycle Leadership Club (AMS)
South Story Bank & Trust
State Bank & Trust
United Way of Story County
University Community Childcare
Wilson Toyota
Worldly Goods
YSS
Sweet Oaks Bakery & Bistro
ColoTel Fiber
Central Elementary School
Hertz Farm Management
Story County Administration Building
Story County Medical Center
Reliance State Bank & Trust
Central Iowa RSVP
3M Ames
ALMACO
Ames Jewish Congregation
Ames National Lab
Burke Corporation
Chevron
Community & Family Resources
Danfoss
Fellows Elementary School
Kingland Systems
Mainstream Living
Mary Greeley Home Health
Mary Greeley Medical Center
McFarland Clinic
Nevada Middle School
Ortho2
Story Construction
Winfield United
Wyffles Hybrids
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
Iowa State Athletics
Ivy College of Business
Department of Physics & Astronomy
ISU Research Park
ISU Vet Med Childcare
Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost
Collection Site Marketing Toolkit
Digital Graphics
- 2026 Food Drive Logo (transparent background)
- Food Security in Story County
- SNAP Benefits in Story County
- Free and Reduced Price Lunch in Story County
- ISU Student Food Insecurity
Monetary Donations
Food pantries welcome monetary donations, in addition to nonperishable and hygiene items. Why? They need to purchase meat, milk, eggs, and other staples for their visitors. Some items can be purchased at a reduced rate from Food Bank of Iowa, meaning your donated dollar can go further than at a grocery store.
There are several ways to donate:
- Cash or check – Drop these off at our office and designate "Food" in the memo line.
- Online – Make a donation here. Include your employer’s name if you want to be sure your donation is credited to a specific organization. Under “Association with a special project,” choose "Other” and write "Food" in the text box.
- Venmo – Send your gift to @UnitedWayStoryCo, making sure to put “Food" in the memo.
Physical Donations
Check out the pantry wish list, or grab some of your favorite items next time you're at the store! Think of what you'd like to feed your family. Cake mixes with cooking oil, mixed nuts for a healthy snack. Plus, some high-demand items (like paper products) aren't in stock at the food bank, thus can't be purchased at a reduced rate, and the pantry needs them on their shelves for local families!