Winter Assistance 2022-2023

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

Thanksgiving Meat: Options include turkey, ham and chicken hindquarters. Meat Packages included in Bidwell Food Pantry food package.

Availability: Available beginning November 1^st. First come first served. Items available while supplies last. Bidwell pantry is open Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Eligibility: Available to individuals who receive a food package from the Bidwell Food Pantry in November 2022. Only one Thanksgiving Meat Package per household.  Not eligible if anyone in household receives a Thanksgiving service from another DMARC pantry. 

Other: A valid photo ID for an adult must be presented at pick up. You must receive a confirmation number.  Residents of all counties welcome.

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

Drive-Thru or Dine-in: Thanksgiving Day 11:00 am drive-thru opens in back parking lot; 12:00 noon dining room opens in school gym.

• Availability: Must sign-up by November 21^st by calling 515-943-2519.
• Eligibility: Open to anyone. No documentation or proof of income necessary.

Delivery Meal: Thanksgiving Day

• Availability: Must sign-up by November 21^st by calling 515-943-2519.
• Eligibility: Delivery available within a 10-mile radius of the event. Name, address, and phone number needed when registering. Must be present for the delivery.

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

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

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

Delivery Meal: Thanksgiving Day

• Sign-up here or call.
• Deadline to sign-up November 16 at 4:30 p.m. May close early if capacity is reached.

Eligibility: Delivery available to Des Moines metro area, including Ankeny, Indianola, and Waukee.  Name, address, and phone number needed when registering. Must be present for the delivery.

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

• Dine In Meal: Thanksgiving Day 11:00 am
• No reservation required
• Open to anyone
• Pick-up Meal: Thanksgiving Day
• 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
• To sign-up call (515) 875-5229
• Deadline to sign-up November 23^rd at 12:00 noon
• Eligibility: Open to anyone. No documentation or proof of income necessary.
• Delivery meal: Thanksgiving Day
• Deliveries will be dropped off between 9:30 am – 2:00 pm.
• Call (515) 875-5229 to sign-up.
• Deadline to sign-up November 23^rd at 12:00 noon.
• Eligibility: Delivery available to Des Moines only. Limit of 8 meals per household. Name, address, and phone number needed when registering. Must be present for the delivery.

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

• November Grocery Card: Gift card in $25 increments.  Gift cards will be mailed.
• Availability: Must register online between October 3^rd and November 17^th: 
• Eligibility: Residents of West Des Moines. Income guidelines are 200% Federal Poverty Level.
• Other: Provide a form of identification for all household members, proof of address, and proof of income when registering, if you have not received recent services from WDM Human Services.

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

Turkey:  During the month of November, pick-up a frozen turkey in addition to regular food during scheduled pantry hours:

Westview Church (lower level)
1155 SE Boone Drive
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5523

• Share Your Feast Thanksgiving: Food box with ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal. Sign-up online.

• Availability: Sign-up online October – November 9th. Client Pick-up date is Friday, November 18th.

• 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. Individuals who have received services within the last three months may already be qualified. Once approved, individuals receive email confirmation with pick up instructions.

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

3300 Easton Blvd
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-2226

(515) 868-9252
www.singleparentprovision.org
spp@singleparentprovision.org

Single Moms Christmas Dinner: Catered meal and programming for single mothers and their children. Activities and programming provided for youth aged 0-18. A pick-up option will be provided for those who'd prefer not to gather. Event will be held at Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines.  

Availability: Event held Saturday, December 10.

Eligibility: Open to single mothers in central Iowa.

Other: Tickets are $15 for mothers and $25 for a mother and her children. Scholarships available, contact smcdscholarship@singleparentprovision.org.  Online registration required.  Sign up closes December 2.

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

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

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

Eligibility: Must receive a food package from Bidwell Pantry in December 2022. If you received your food package before December 12th, you can 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.

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

December Grocery Card: Gift card in $25 increments. Gift cards will be mailed.

Availability: Must register between October 3 and November 17 online at www.wdm.iowa.gov/government/human-services/programs-services/holiday-assistance.

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

Other: Provide a form of identification for all household members, proof of address, and proof of income when registering, if you have not received recent services from WDM Human Services.

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

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

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

Eligibility: Must receive a food package from Bidwell Pantry in December 2022. If you received your food package before December 12th, you can 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.

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

December Grocery Card: Gift card in $25 increments. Gift cards will be mailed.

Availability: Must register between October 3 and November 17 online at www.wdm.iowa.gov/government/human-services/programs-services/holiday-assistance.

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

Other: Provide a form of identification for all household members, proof of address, and proof of income when registering, if you have not received recent services from WDM Human Services.

4343 Fuller Road
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 226-9973

Christmas Dinner for Internationals:  Christmas dinner of Kentucky fried chicken, music, cultural performances, giveaways, and a Christmas program. Photos with ice sculptures. Halal and vegetarian meals available.

Availability: Saturday, December 10^th 5:30 pm

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

Food Basket: Delivered boxes filled with meat, canned food, bread, milk, eggs, potatoes, gift certificates donated by local restaurants and businesses, sweets for the children, toys and various other foods and sundries. Nominate a family online.

Availability: Apply online until December 9^th. The list may fill up and close before the deadline. 

Eligibility: Dallas County residents experiencing financial hardship.

Other: Limited number of applicants can be chosen.

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

The Giving Table: 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 here

Availability: Saturday, December 17 - Noon to 4 p.m.

Eligibility: Open to anyone, while supplies last.

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

• In person Meal: Christmas day 12:00 – 1:00 pm
• Eligibility: Open to anyone. No documentation or proof of income necessary.
• Delivery meal: Christmas day
• Sign-up online or call.
• Sign-up between November 28^th - December 16^th at 4:30 pm. May close early if capacity is reached.
• Eligibility: Delivery available to Des Moines metro area. Name, address, and phone number needed when registering. Must be present for the delivery.

2811 SE 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50320

Winter Warmth Event: Free meal and winter gear.

Availability: Christmas day 1:00 – 6:00 pm

Eligibility: Open to anyone.

Other: Hosted by 4 All Kids, Hot Tamale Catering, and Do Good Des Moines 

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

Adopt-a-Family: Must register between October 3 and November 17 online at www.wdm.iowa.gov/government/human-services/programs-services/holiday-assistance.

Toys for Tots:  Listing of locations which offer Toys for Tots sign-up:  des-moines-ia.toysfortots.org

Availability: Sign-up periods vary by location. 

Eligibility: Varies by location. 

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

Shop With a Cop: Positive interaction with an officer for at risk or low-income children. Nominate a family.

Availability: Apply online until November 28th. The list may fill up and close before the deadline.

Eligibility: Dallas County residents, children ages 6-12, experiencing financial hardship.

Other: Limited number of applicants can be chosen.

(515) 282-3599
www.saangeltree.org

Angel Tree: Food and toys for children. Pick-up determined upon sign-up.

Availability: Sign-up by December 2 online at www.saangeltree.org. Sign-up may close early if capacity is met.

Eligibility:  families with children ages 12 and younger.

Other: ID and proof of income required at time of pick-up.

(515) 868-9252
www.singleparentprovision.org
spp@singleparentprovision.org

Family Gift Mart: The Family Gift Market is a free event for single parents and their children to shop for one another at Christmas! The team of volunteers help children select, wrap, and label a gift for their registered parent, while parents shop in an adjacent room selecting a gift for each one of their children.

Availability: Saturday, December 17

Eligibility: Open to single parents in central Iowa.

Other: Registration is required. Limited number of spaces available. Link will be posted on website.

(515) 278-3936
info@urbandalenetwork.org

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

Availability: Sign-up online October 10 - November 7. Sign-up may close early if capacity is met.  Distribution will be mid-December.

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

Other: 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.

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

• Toys For Tots: Applications can be picked up or printed from here.
• Availability: Applications accepted Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm until November 11^th.

• Eligibility: Dallas County residents with children aged 14 years and younger. Must have primary custody of the children. West Des Moines residents should see WDM Community Services, Waukee residents should see Waukee Area Christian Services.

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

Toy Pantry: Families can choose toys for their children. Children may only receive toys once. Must pre-register in person at the Bidwell pantry.

Availability: Sign-up at Bidwell Food Pantry during normal pantry hours, Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm between October 12^th and November 4^th. Choose a time to shop the Toy Pantry upon sign up.

Eligibility:  Families with children ages 18 and younger. No income or area restrictions. Children do not have to be present at the event.

Other: Bring photo identification for the adult who picks up toys. Toys will be available on a first come, first served basis. This is a Toys for Tots event.

Westview Church (lower level)
1155 SE Boone Drive
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5523

Christmas Gifts for Kids: Gifts for children available with sign-up for the Gift of Food food box program.  Click Here for details.

Availability: Sign-up online by November 30.  Client pick-up date is December 16.

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. Individuals who have received services within the last three months may already be qualified. Once approved, individuals receive email confirmation with pick up instructions.

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

Adel First Christian Church
218 N. 9th Street
Adel, IA  50003

Coat Giveaway: New coats, mittens & hats.  All sizes, infants, kids, and adults.

Availability:  Saturday, October 8, 9-11am

Eligibility:  Open to anyone.  While supplies last.

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

Winter Clothing Drive Giveaway: Project Fresh Start, supported by Ankeny Community Engagement, is an Ankeny-based volunteer program. Project Fresh Start coordinated donations of winter clothing. The giveaway provides coats, hats, mittens, and snow pants to Ankeny students. 

Availability: Saturday, November 12 @ 11 am – 2 pm & Sunday, November 13 @ 11 am – 1 pm 

Eligibility: Ankeny Community School District students only (Ankeny Christian Academy and St. Luke’s included). Also available to Ankeny homeschool students. 

2190 NW 82nd Street
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 257-8550

Winter Coat Distribution: Coats, hats, gloves, and other winter gear for children and adults.

Availability: Saturday, October 22 @ 10 am - 3 pm

Eligibility: Open to anyone.

Other: First come, first served while supplies last.

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

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

Availability: Thursday, November 10

Eligibility: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Veterans and their families only; 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. open to the public.

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

North High School
501 Holcomb Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 288-4742

Pre-Winter Community Car Check Up: Guests will need to stay in their car during all services.  Each car will receive one swag bag.

Services Include: exterior lights changed out, windshield wiper blades replaced, fluids topped off, tires checked and filled.  overall safety & car seat check.

Availability: Saturday, October 8, 9am - noon

Eligibility: Open to anyone.  Will serve first 500 guests.

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

Winter Coat Giveaway: Free new and gently used coats for children and adults. Distribution takes place at West Des Moines Human Services.

Availability: Registration begins September 21^st. Distribution will take place Friday, October 21^st 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (by appointment) and Saturday, October 22^nd 9:00 am – 12:00 noon (walk-in).

Eligibility: Income eligible residents of West Des Moines, Clive, Windsor Heights.

Other: Appointments can be made by contacting HumanServices@wdm.iowa.gov or calling 515-222-3660. Limited walk-ins available.  

4950 Pleasant Street, Suite B
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 225-3827

• Winter Coat Drive Through: Winter coats in infant and toddler sizes.
• Availability: Friday, November 4^th 9:00 – 11:00 am
• Eligibility: Open to anyone.
• Other: First come, first served while supplies last.

Attn: Energy Team
3226 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 518-4770
impactcap.org

Closed to walk-ins.

• LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program): A program designed to aid low-income families in the payment of a portion of their heating costs for the winter season, to promote energy awareness and to encourage a reduction of energy usage through energy efficiency and client education. Payments are based on family income, demographic factors, and fuel type.

• Availability: Applications begin October 1, 2022 for those over age 60, or who are disabled. All other people can apply from November 1, 2022 until April 30, 2023. Those with a disconnection notice may apply for crisis funding.

• Eligibility: Residents of Boone, Jasper, Marion, Polk and Warren counties with income less than 200% Federal Poverty Level. If over 200% Federal Poverty Level and have medical expenses you may still qualify for LIHEAP.
• Other: Applications are taken over the phone and by mail. English and Spanish applications available on the IMPACT website. Provide proof of social security numbers for all household members, proof of income over the last 30 days, and copies of recent utility bills. Available to homeowners and renters. LIHEAP applications are also submitted to the Weatherization Program.

Attn: Energy Team
3226 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 518-4770
impactcap.org

Closed to walk-ins.

• LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program): A program designed to aid low-income families in the payment of a portion of their household water and wastewater bills.  Payments are based on family income, demographic factors, and need. 

• Availability: Applications begin October 8, 2021, and continue until September 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted. Applications are accepted year-round.

• Eligibility: Residents of Boone, Jasper, Marion, Polk and Warren counties with income less than 200% Federal Poverty Level. A past due notice or disconnect notice is needed. If already approved for LIHEAP they are qualified for the program and need to schedule to complete the application.
• Other:  Applications are taken over the phone and by mail. English and Spanish applications available on the IMPACT website. Provide proof of social security numbers for all household members, proof of income over the last 30 days, and copies of recent utility bills. Available to homeowners and renters.

Attn: Energy Team
3226 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 518-4770
impactcap.org

Closed to walk-ins.

• Weatherization Program: Services provided in partnership with Polk County Public Works and Mid-Iowa Community Action. Helps to tighten and insulate homes against the elements and to assure the safety of appliances by providing health and safety checks, appliance replacement, home insulation, minor repairs, and