Winter Assistance 2023-2024

1203 Hartford Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 244-6251

Program/Service:  Thanksgiving Meat

Availability:  Come to Bidwell Pantry to get a food package where Thanksgiving Meat options include turkey, ham, or chicken. You must sign up in advance to receive a turkey, registration starts on November 1st until event is full, sign up is Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm.

Eligibility:  The Bidwell Food Pantry is a no-boundary pantry meaning everyone is welcome and you do not need to live in a specific zip code. Residents of all counties are welcome. To qualify, you must receive a food package from Bidwell Food Pantry in November 2023. Not eligible if anyone in household has received Thanksgiving service from another DMARC pantry. Only one package per household.

Details:  Sign up opens a month before Thanksgiving and registration stops 2 weeks before. Anyone can qualify in the Des Moines area. Available on a first-come, first-serve basis. All items are available while supplies last, and no appointment is needed to sign up. A valid photo ID for an adult must be presented to pick up meat.

6123 Scout Trail
Des Moines, IA 50321

Program: Free Hot Thanksgiving Meal with Free Winter Gear.

Availability: Serving community from 1-6pm on Thanksgiving Day.

Details: Hosted at Fred Maytag Scout Center in Des Moines

2107 E 33rd Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 943-2519

Program/Service:  Drive Through/Dine-In

Availability:  Dine in will be from 1130am-1pm on Thanksgiving Day. Organization would like to encourage people to come dine in and have a meal with everyone!

Eligibility:  Open to anyone.

2107 E 33rd Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 943-2519

Program/Service: Delivery Meal

Availability:  Call between 9am-5pm or leave a message and they will get back to individuals. Thanksgiving meals will be delivered starting at 9:30 until 11.

Eligibility:  Organization will take reservations at 515-943-2519 until November 20.

Details:   If you want to pick up, you can do so on Thanksgiving from 10-11 at the back in the gym.

916 5th Ave.
Grinnell, IA 50112
(641) 236-3757

Program/Service:  Thanksgiving Meal

Availability:  Thursday, November 23rd @5:30pm-6:30pm

Eligibility:  Reservations for meal must be made by calling GUMC office at 641-236-3757 by noon on Wednesday. There are no to-go orders and there is a capacity.

Details:  Meal will be served at St John's Lutheran Church

1310 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 265-4277

In-Person Meal: Thanksgiving  12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Eligibility: Sign up opens a month before Thanksgiving and registration stops 2 weeks before. Anyone can qualify in the Des Moines area.

Details: Will need to call Hope Ministries when meal order line opens each holiday to request a meal to be delivered to them. They can call 515-265-4277 and meal reservations open on October 30.

1310 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50314

Program/Service:  Delivery meal

Availability:  Will need to call when meal order line opens each holiday to request a meal be delivered to them. Call 515-265-4277.

Eligibility:  Sign up opens a month before Thanksgiving and registration stops two weeks before. Anyone can qualify in the Des Moines area.

Details:  They can call 515-265-4277 and meal reservations open on October 30.

3000 SE 22nd Street
Des Moines, IA 50320

Program/Service:  Thanksgiving Giveaway

Availability:  Saturday, November 18th @11am-1pm at the Living Waters Fellowship.

Eligibility:  Open to anyone, free event for all. No registration or documentation is required.

Details:  Stop by Living Waters Fellowship for a FREE Thanksgiving meal and FREE winter clothing. Also free resources provided by Heart for Des Moines, Alpha Women's Center, and Living Waters Counseling.

3610 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 875-5229

Program/Service:  Thanksgiving Meal

Availability:  Call 515-875-5229 for a meal. Please let them know if this is a carry out meal or delivery and if delivery is needed. Only available for Des Moines area.

Eligibility:  Open to anyone. No documentation of proof of income necessary.

Details:  When calling please provide address and how many meals are needed if delivery order.

7611 Douglas Ave, Suite 34
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 251-6688

Program/Service:  Turkey

Availability: We have turkeys available during the month of November as a meat option for your full monthly check in. Pantry hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM and Saturday: 8 AM - 12 PM

1155 SE Boone Drive
Waukee, IA 50263
(515)987-5523

Program/Service:  Share Your Feast Thanksgiving: Food box with ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal.  Sign Up Here.

Availability:  Sign-up online by November 8. Client Pick-up date is Friday, November 17.

Eligibility:  Qualified residents within Waukee School District. To be qualified, proof of residency and identification for each member of the home must be brought to Waukee Christian Services during food pantry hours, after online application is completed. Once application is approved, individuals receive email confirmation with pick up instructions.

Details:  Cannot apply if receiving holiday services from any other organization.

139 6th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 222-3660

Program/Service:  November Grocery Voucher: $50/household

Availability:  Must register online between October 2 and November 9. Sign Up Here

Eligibility:  Residents of West Des Moines only. Income guidelines at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level.

Details:  Provide a form of identification for all household members, proof of address, and proof of income when registering.

1203 Hartford Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 244-6251

Program/Service:  Holiday Meat: Additional meat with DMARC or the emergency food package.

Availability:  December 12th - 22nd during regular pantry times. Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 4:45 pm

Eligibility:  Must receive a food package from Bidwell Pantry in December 2023. If you received your food package before December 12th, you could come to the pantry during the giveaway to just receive the Holiday Meat Package. Only one Holiday Meat Package per household. First come, first served basis, while supplies last. Not eligible if anyone in household received a Holiday Service from another DMARC pantry. 

201 Nile Kinnick Drive North
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4771

Program/Service:  Food Basket

Availability:  Food baskets which are delivered on Dec. 14th. In partnership with a local business, put together enough food to feed a family for a week or so (depending on family size). The basket contains: a full ham, two pounds of hamburger, pork loin, milk, butter, bread, and two boxes full of dry goods, can goods, and other things. That program is so far limited to 100 families.

Eligibility:  Only to Dallas County residents and can be applied for thru an on-line application that will open up on the County’s website sometime in October.

4101 E University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 809-2356

Program/Service:  Breakfast with Santa

Availability:   Saturday, December 2nd from 9-11am

Eligibility:  Open to anyone while supplies last.

Hope & Elim building; 2500 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 343-0149

Program/Service:  The Giving Table

Availability:  Saturday, December 17th 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm

Eligibility:  Open to anyone, while supplies last.

Details:  Culturally appropriate food that is familiar to African refugee and immigrant families, although anyone in central Iowa experiencing food insecurity is welcome to receive food. Health assessments available, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks. Sign-up available.

1301 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 265-4277

Program/Service:  In person meal: People are welcome to receive a free meal on Christmas. 

Eligibility:  Meal order reservations will be available on Monday, November 27th 

(515) 868-9252
Website

Program/Service:  Single Moms Christmas Dinner: Programming and activities provided for children and youth aged 0-18, so while moms enjoy this uplifting evening, their children will enjoy a fun evening complete with activities, games, and a meal of their own.

Eligibility:  Registration is required and closes Friday, December 2, 2023. Those registered by November 9 will be entered to win one of three $100 gift cards given during the program.

Details:  Tickets are $15 per individual (mother only) or $25 per family (mother and children). Scholarships are gladly provided and easily received by simply selecting the Scholarship registration type when registering.

1155 SE Boone Drive
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5523
Website

Program/Service:  The Gift of Food: Food box and personal care items. Gifts available for children as well.

Availability:  Sign-up by November 29th. Client Pickup Date is Friday, December 15th.

Eligibility:  Qualified residents within Waukee School District. To be qualified, proof of residency and identification for each member of the home must be brought to Waukee Christian Services during food pantry hours, after online application is completed. Once application is approved, individuals receive email confirmation with pick up instructions.

Details:  Cannot apply if receiving holiday services from any other organization.

139 6th Street
Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 222-3660

Program/Service:  December Grocery Voucher

Availability:  Must register online between October 2nd and November 30th.

Eligibility:  Residents of West Des Moines. Income guidelines at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level. Available to households not signing up for Adopt-A-Family.

Details:  Provide a form of identification for all household members, proof of address, and proof of income when registering.

Email: holidayassistance01@gmail.com

Program/Service:  Holiday Gift Assistance

Availability:  Gift distribution will be held from 5:30-8:30 pm Friday, December 15th and 12:30-3:30 pm Saturday, December 16th at New City Church, 849 S. Ankeny Blvd. Gifts must be picked up on these days.

Eligibility:  The Community Holiday Assistance Program provide gifts for children who reside in Ankeny or attend a school in Ankeny, and who meet the Ankeny Community School District's income eligibility guidelines which can be found here. Please have proof of income ready before completing this application, as a photo will need to be emailed to us in order for your application to be processed, Applications must be completed in full. This includes the wish list(s) for children and the income verification email. Due to the number of applications received, we are not able to hold incomplete applications.

Details:  DEADLINE TO APPLY IS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30. Apply here.

1203 Hartford Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 244-6251

Program/Service:  Toy Pantry: The adult and the children must have received food from the Bidwell Pantry in November or December. You will receive registration information at check-in at the Bidwell Pantry. Registration will start on December 1, 2023. Once registered, you will choose a date and time to attend the toy pantry.

Availability:  Toys will be available on a first- come, first- serve basis. You may only get toys once for each child.

Eligibility:  Children must be 18 or younger to participate. Children do not need to be present at the event.

Details:  Registration is required. Adult must show photo ID when picking up toys. Child identification is not required. Pantry hours are Monday-Friday from 10:00am-5:00pm. Event location is at Bidwell Riverside Center in Des Moines.

201 Nile Kinnick Drive North
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4771

Program/Service:  Shop with Cop: Shop with a Cop will take place on Dec. 2nd. It enables children ages 6 to 12 to go shopping with a law enforcement officer to buy gifts for family and themselves (not to go over $125).

Availability:  Open to Dallas County residents only (in the case of Shop with a Cop the child has to go to a school system in Dallas County) and can be applied for thru an on-line application that will open up on the County’s website sometime in October.

Eligibility:  Children ages 6-12 years. Open to Dallas County residents only. 

535 NW 6th Street
Earlham, IA 50072

Program/Service:  Earhlam Christmas Share: Shop “garage sale style” for new and gently used toys, clothes, and household items.

Availability:  Saturday, December 10th 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Eligibility:  Open to anyone. First come first served. Items available while supplies last.

7401 SW 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315

Program/Service:  Operation Santa

Availability:  Free event from 9am-3pm on Saturday, December 9th.

Eligibility:  Free event open to all children in foster care, kinship care, their biological and foster families.

Details:  Foster or kinship parents can submit a list for children placed in their care by HHS. The deadline for this is November 3.  Submit List.

2816 1st Avenue
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-5185

Program/Service:  Toys for Tots: Applications can be picked up.

Availability:  Applications will be accepted until November 10th.

Eligibility:  Perry School District child who have LIHEAP heating assistance will automatically qualify. Must be in Perry School district, receive LIHEAP and ages 14 and younger. 

(515) 282-3599
Website

Program/Service:  Angel Tree: Toys for children and food gift cards for the families. Pick-up time assigned to families after application is approved.

Availability:  Sign-up by November 17th online at www.saangeltree.org. Sign-up may close early if capacity is met.

Eligibility:  Families with children ages 12 and younger

Details:  ID required at time of pick-up.

(515) 868-9252

Program/Service:  Family Gift Market: The Family Gift Market is a free event and unique opportunity for single parents and their children to shop for one another at Christmas!

Availability:  Event is on December 16th, 2023 at 1:30pm at the Valley Community Center, 4444 Fuller Road, West Des Moines 50265.

Eligibility:  Open to single parents in central Iowa.

Details:  Cookies, crafts, and cocoa are available for families to enjoy together when their shopping is done, and all leave with a wrapped gift for one another to be put under the tree for Christmas.

(515) 278-3936
info@urbandalenetwork.org

Program/Service:  Holiday Helping Hands: Connects families in need with community partners & sponsors. Clothing, household items, gifts for children.

Eligibility:  Income eligible residents of Urbandale or Urbandale School District.  Income guidelines listed on UCAN website.

Details:  Every family must complete a new client application form as well as a holiday application form. Bring a form of identification for all household members, proof of address, and proof of income. Cannot apply if receiving services from another holiday assistance program, except Toys for Tots.

Coordinator: 515-205-4711
Warehouse: 515-689-3327

Program/Service:  Toys for Tots: Listing of locations that offer Toys for Tots: Home - Toys for Tots.

Availability:  November 1st until December 22nd

Eligibility:  Varies by location.

1155 SE Boone Drive
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5523
Website

Program/Service:  Christmas Gifts for Kids: Gifts for children available with sign-up for the Gift of Food box program.

Availability:  Qualified residents within Waukee School District. To be qualified, proof of residency and identification for each member of the home must be brought to Waukee Christian Services during food pantry hours, after online application is completed. Once approved, individuals receive email confirmation with pick up instructions.

Eligibility:  Cannot apply if receiving holiday services from any other organization, including Toys for Tots. 

139 6th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 222-3660
Website

Program/Service:  Adopt-a-Family

Availability:  Must register online between October 2nd and November 30th.

Eligibility:  Residents of West Des Moines with children ages 18 and younger. Income guidelines at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level.

Details:  Provide a form of identification for all household members, proof of address, and proof of income when registering.

Prairie Ridge Middle School
1010 NW Prairie Ridge Drive
Ankeny, IA 50023

Program/Service:  Winter Clothing Drive Giveaway

Availability:  Dates are November 11 and 12.

Eligibility:  There will be having a winter clothing giveaway in November, but it is for Ankeny students/families only. 

Polk County River Place
2309 Euclid Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 286-3670

Program/Service:  Winter Coat Drive Giveaway: Giveaway takes place in rooms 3 & 3A of the Polk County River Place building.

Availability:  November 8, 2023

Eligibility:  Open to Veterans and their families from 9:00am-12:00pm. Open to public from 1:00pm-2:30pm.

Details:  Photo ID of Veterans Status required during Veterans hours.