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.
CCR&R is available to assist families in selecting child care providers who best meet the needs of a child and their family.
The Child Care Search Tool helps Iowa families find open child care spots nearby or right along their daily driving route. Simply search by location or plug in your commute to instantly find available providers close to home, work, or anywhere in between.
Offers clothing, food and household items.
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. The shed is open to the public 24/7.
Sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price.
Blast Back to School distributes school supplies late summer every year. 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.
ACCESS is a nonprofit offering services for survivors of abuse and those in housing crisis.
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.
This free program provides an opportunity to master new skills that can lead to a new career opportunity in a very short amount of time.
For a list of agencies that provide rent, utility and other financial assistance.
The Well Resource Center is a local place in the community where individuals and families can go when facing difficult circumstances in life.
Join us at any of our free Women United Finance Nights at The Hub to learn more about managing personal finances to create a more stable future.
File your taxes through VITA or MyFreeTaxes, two great resources that will help you maximize your return.
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. 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 by calling 1-855-944-3663.
(USDA program offered by Heartland Story County)
The Commodity Supplemental Foods Program (CSFP) provides supplemental food and nutrition education for the elderly ages 60 and over at no cost. Available foods include bottles juice, canned fruits and vegetables, hot and cold cereals, cheese, peanut butter, beans, pastas, shelf stable 1% milk and powdered milk. Visit the website or call 1-877-288-3655 to see if you qualify.
This community refrigerator is open to all who need food assistance.
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.
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.
Saving Suds provides quarters and laundry soap for those who do not have washing machines at home at landromats in Ames.
Legal Aid Society of Story County treats eviction and related landlord-tenant cases as “crisis” cases and offer prompt assistance.
Any Story County resident in need of an emergency rent or utility payment may apply.
The Story County Immigrant & Refugee Collaboration maintains a list of English language learning programs held in Ames as part of their mission to bring together diverse organizations and individuals.
Public WiFi is available at local public libraries. Use the map below to find one near you!
The Center for Creative Justice, or CCJ, is a community based, non-profit agency providing correctional supervision to adult criminal offenders placed on probation by the local judiciary.
Free civil legal assistance. Please follow the link to learn more. Call if you have an emergency.
If you or someone you know needs legal assistance, contact Legal Aid at the number below.
PHC’s Ames clinic provides primary medical care and dental care for individuals and families in the Ames area. PHC accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance, with a sliding fee scale available for patients without coverage.
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. Registration is not required for this program so anyone can use it!
When calling in your prescriptions, ask that the SingleCare discount be applied by providing them the following information:
CCS oversees master’s levels counseling students to provide no-cost mental health therapy services to individuals while they are on wait lists for ongoing mental health therapy.
PHC’s Ames clinic provides behavioral health services to support mental and emotional well-being. PHC accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance, with a sliding fee scale available for patients without coverage.
Statewide Crisis Line 24 hour services
The RSVP program helps Story County’s older adults and homebound residents live independently. Volunteers provide safe, reliable rides to medical appointments and essential errands across the county. Additionally, in partnership with Heartland of Story County, RSVP volunteers deliver groceries and daily staples directly to neighbors.
To request a ride, call 515-230-7429.
CyRide is the city bus system for Ames, Iowa. CyRide operates 13 fixed routes, a Dial-A-Ride service for persons with a disability, and a late night service called Moonlight Express.
HIRTA provides public transit services to the central Iowa counties of Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Story, and Warren.
