Every hour of every day, many people need basic help, like finding a job, getting food, caring for an aging parent, recovering from addiction, finding affordable housing, joining support groups, or connecting with their community. Dialing 211 is a free way to get information about health and human services. Local nonprofits have submitted information to the call center about services they provide so 211 callers receive accurate information. Because of the support of UWSC donors, programs like 211 are available for everyone in Story County.
211 is available 24 hours/day, seven days/week throughout Iowa, including Story County, or online. Please note, 211 is your most accurate, complete, and current source of resource information.
211 is where you go when you don’t know where to turn for help, acting as a single point of contact to thousands of social service programs.
Anyone seeking services in their community!!
211 is a completely free, comprehensive information and referral system linking Iowa residents to health and human service programs, community services, disaster services and governmental programs.
Assistance is available in multiple languages, and services are accessible to people with disabilities. Languages can be assisted with the use of our Language Line translation service that can translate 150 languages.
Child Care Assistance (CCA) is available to the children of income-eligible parents.
Offers free clothing, food and household items.
Provides clothing to Story County residents in need. No one is turned away. Co-located with a Community Food Pantry.
Free clothes and shoes for adults in need.
Free clothing and household items in downtown Nevada. Have clothing of all kinds and sizes. (Donations accepted only during store hours, via the alley entrance)
The ISU Pop-Up Shop opens once per semester and offers blazers, suits, shirts and blouses, trousers, shoes and accessories; all for free! These range in styles and sizes. Location for donations (accepted year-round): College of Human Sciences in 131 MacKay Hall.
Free clothes and household items stored in a small shed.
Provides a daytime hospitality center for those in need. Anyone needing access to a shower, laundry facilities, a hot meal, or clothing can come into the Romero House to get assistance.
Sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price.
Our local Campaign for Grade Level Reading, Story County Reads, has loads of information on local educational programs, resources, and more!
Supply distribution happens late summer every year through this community initiative. United Way is happy to serve as the fiscal agent for this work. Check with your guidance counselor or school social workers for more information or if you need supplies during the school year.
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance, known as the Alliance, works to promote economic growth and community development across Boone, Greene, Hamilton, and Story counties in Central Iowa. We are an alliance of people and businesses partnering for economic growth to make this region one of excellence, innovation, and a leading area for success in the state and the region.
Contact Elizabeth Ross at Ames Alliance or Marlana Schnell at DMACC to learn of programs available in Story County. Training is free, with additional supports (transportation, childcare vouchers, etc.) available.
See our website for more information!
Free clothing closet. Obtain clothes for work and beyond (in the Annex building behind Dunkin’ Donuts).
Eviction and related landlord-tenant cases are being treated as “crisis” cases and will receive prompt assistance.
Free legal advice. Please also refer to their website for information.
Concerned about how you are going to pay your bills? The best step you can take is to communicate soon with those you will be owing money to in the coming weeks. This would include landlords, and mortgage, utility, loan, and/or credit companies along with others you may owe money to. You may be able to work out a plan with each of them giving you the ability to make a partial payment or perhaps temporarily suspend payments with the promise of making them up later.
The key is to make sure to communicate with those expecting a payment before the payments are due in order to show good faith but also to find out what your options are for partial or delayed payments. In all cases do not make promises you can not keep. Document the agreements you have reached so that you don’t have to count on your memory at a later date. Finally, follow through on your promises.
Check the other resources on this page to see if there is a program that will either help with a critical bill or free up money so you can pay the critical bill such as utilizing a food pantry.
Family finance program specialists are providing free, one-on-one financial conversations. Financial educators are available to talk about options for revising a budget, prioritizing bills, paying down debt and connecting Iowans with community resources to stretch reduced incomes. Iowans can connect with a family finance specialist by phone or email. The conversations are free and confidential. Click the link below for more info.
Available in five languages! Please note that language translations may be outdated.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition benefits to supplement food budgets. To find out more about this program or to see if you are eligible, please visit their website. You can apply online, by paper, or over the phone.
(USDA program offered by Heartland Story County)
Supplemental food boxes available for eligible seniors 60+ throughout Story County. A person must meet income eligibility guidelines established by the USDA. Foods received monthly; shelf-stable milk, non-fat dry milk, rice or pasta, ready-to-eat cereal, farina, or oatmeal, peanut butter or dry beans, canned meat or fish, bottled juices, canned fruits, canned vegetables, and cheese. Visit the website or call to see if you qualify.
This program provides supplementary food and nutrition education for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, up to 6 months post-partum, and infants and children up to age 5. In Story County, contact Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) in person or call to get enrolled.
Public WiFi is available at the two locations listed below. These locations are for students and others who need an Internet connection in the community.
If you or someone you know needs legal assistance, contact Legal Aid at the number below.
Free civil legal assistance. Please follow the link to learn more. Call if you have an emergency.
The SingleCare prescription savings card can help everyone save up to 80% on prescriptions, including the uninsured, the underinsured, and those with limited prescription benefits on their insurance plans. When calling in your prescriptions, ask that the SingleCare discount be applied by providing them the following information:
Registration is not required for this program so anyone can use it!
Statewide Crisis Line 24 hour services
For a comprehensive list of providers, please see Central Iowa Community Services’ below.
For additional information, please visit the CICS website below.
24/7 Help Lines:
The Bridge Home is devoted to bridging the gap between homelessness and housing by providing shelter, support, and inspiring a pathway forward to individuals and families experiencing or on the verge of homelessness. Please call to request help.
Youth in crisis can find safety, support and services at any YSS emergency service and shelter:
Can be reached 24/7 at the phone number below.
All adolescent residential addiction treatment facilities in Ames are open and operating. If you or a loved one is in need of treatment, please contact Mark.
For individuals 60+, Heartland of Story County and Central Iowa RSVP are offering assistance with medication and grocery pick-up/delivery. To access this assistance, please visit this webpage or call the following:
