Clothing
Clothes Closet
Provides clothing and household items at not cost to anyone in need. Thursdays 9:00am–5pm. Second Saturday 9am–12pm.
109 S 4th St.
Montezuma, IA 50171
Phone: 641-623-3275
Goodwill Industries
Inexpensive used clothing and furniture.
230 West St.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-7312
Andersen Used Furniture
Inexpensive used furniture.
1018 Washington Ave.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-3466
Phase 2 Consignment
914 Main St.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-8126
Salvation Army Poweshiek County Service Extension #261
303 E Washington St.
Montezuma, IA 50171
Phone: 641-623-3275
Website: http://centralusa.salvationarmy.org
White’s Consignment
806 S Front St.
Montezuma, IA 50171
Phone: 641-623-2208
Financial
Christmas Shares
Program to help low-income families in Poweshiek County by purchasing gift items. Families should call to sign up fo the program.
Contact: Pam Montgomery
Phone: 641-236-7402
Email: share@windstream.net
The Campbell Fund
Financial assistance for groceries, tax services, utilities and medical services for income-eligible Grinnell residents.
City of Grinnell
520 4th Ave.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-2600
Website: http://www.grinnelliowa.gov
Social Entrepreneurs of Grinnell (SEG)
Emergency Loan Program
This program provides no-interest loans for emergencies such as car repair, temporary loss of income or medical emergencies. It is also intended to serve as an alternative to predatory loans.
932 Broad St.
PO Box 481
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 701-556-0734
Website: http://www.segrinnell.org
Email: grinnellmicrofinance@gmail.com
Child Support Recovery Unit (CSRU)
204 1/2 West State St.
Marshalltown, IA 50158
Phone: 641-753-6408
Phone: 888-229-9223
Website: https://secureapp.dhs.state.ia.us/customerweb/
VITA Tax Program
Call for an appointment in February or March.
Poweshiek County ISU Extension & Outreach
114 South Third Street
Montezuma, Iowa 50171
Phone: 641-623-5188
Food & Nutrition
Women, Infant & Children Nutrition Program (WIC)
For children 0–5 years old and women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby. This program provides nutritional education and checks to families to purchase baby formula, milk, eggs and other healthy foods.
Poweshiek County Family Development Center
611 4th Ave.
Grinnell, IA 501112
Phone: 641-236-3923
Grinnell Farmers Market
Customers will find locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, jams, plants, crafts and more. SNAP benefits are accepted and offer Double Up Food Bucks (each $1 use of a SNAP card, customers get a free $1 to use for fruits and veggies, up to $10 per visit) along with debit and credit cards. Thursdays 3pm–6pm and Saturdays 10am–noon.
4th & Broad Street, Central Park
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-223-6555 (M–F 8am–5pm)
Website: https://www.grinnellchamber.org/en/events/farmers_market/
Grinnell Community Meal
FREE meal prepared by community members and Grinnell College Social Justice Action Group. Open to anyone. Tuesdays from 5:45–6:30pm, except during the month of August and the weeks of Christmas and New Year.
Davis Elementary School (Cafeteria)
818 Hamilton Ave.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Email: SJAG@grinnell.edu
ISU Extension and Outreach
Offers recipes that are low-cost and nutritious.
Website: https://spendsmart.extension.iastate.edu/recipes/
Food Recovery Network
Prepared foods are available for pickup. Bring your own containers.
First Presbyterian Church
1025 5th Ave.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-6059
May–August: Tuesday 12:00–12:30pm
September–April: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays from 12:00–12:30pm (Tuesday only in summer and during all college breaks)
Station Clubhouse
729 Pearl St.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Lower level of Pearl St. Apartments. Park on west side of building.
September–April: Saturdays at 2:00–3:00pm (except during summer and all college breaks)
Imagine Grinnell—Grinnell Giving Gardens
The Giving Gardens are a collaborative effort of local organizations that aim to improve the health of Poweshiek County by providing access to fresh, local produce. During the growing season, the Giving Gardens depend on volunteers to maintain the gardens and harvest food. The harvested produce is then delivered to locations where community members can receive it, such as MICA, UPH-GRMP Public Health, the Senior center, Brookside Housing and the Station Clubhouse. Area farmers and gardeners are encouraged to donate excess produce to these locations.
PO Box 344
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-5518
Website: https://imaginegrinnell.org
Locations Include:
- Ahrens Park Garden
1510 Penrose - Grinnell Community Day Care
1436 Penrose - St. John’s Lutheran Church
1224 East St. - Fairview Elementary School
1310 Hobart St. - Summer Street Park (Rotary)
736 Summer St. - Davis Elementary School
818 Hamilton - Marvin Garden (Imagine Grinnell)
Marvin Ave. west of Los Girasoles - UPH-GRMC Public Health
306 4th Ave - Bailey Park Elementary
210 8th Ave. - Brooklyn
near city park
SNAP (Food Stamps)
This is a DHS program. MICA can give families the application forms for this and other DHS programs. The Grinnell Farmers Market accepts SNAP payments.
MICA (Mid-Iowa Community Action)
Phone: 641-236-3923
Meals on Wheels
Baptist Church
925 East St.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-2613
Brooklyn Activity Center
122 Jackson St.
Brooklyn IA 52211
Phone: 641-522-5400
Food Pantries & Nutrition
Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA)
Operates an emergency food pantry for those in need; distributes vouchers for milk and bread provided by local churches, distributes fresh produce from local farmers. Monday through Friday from 8:30am–4:30pm.
611 4th Ave.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-3923
Brooklyn Food Pantry
Front Street across from the post office. Wednesdays from 1:00–5:00pm.
Phone: 641-522-7185
Brooklyn Mobile Food Pantry
Sign up at MICA, Grinnell. Food is delivered to your door once a month.
Phone: 641-236-3923
Malcom Food Pantry
Thursdays from 5:00–6:45pm. No one is turned away.
Methodist Church
602 4th St.
Malcom, IA 50157
Phone: 641-990-4300
Malcom Mobile Food Pantry
Food from Northeast Iowa Food bank. First Wednesdays of every month at 4:30 until food is gone. Bring bags or boxes.
Malcom Auditorium
212 Main St.
Malcom, IA 50157
Phone: 641-528-4245
MICA Mobile Food Pantry—Brooklyn location
Second Saturday of every moth from 10:30am–12:30pm.
Grace United Methodist Church
603 Clay St.
Brooklyn, IA 52211
Phone: 641-236-3923
MICA Mobile Food Pantry—Victor location
Third Wednesday of every month from 12:30pm–2:45pm.
Victor Public Library
710 2nd St.
Victor, IA 52347
Phone: 641-236-3923
Montezuma Food Pantry
The client choice pantry is for Poweshiek county residents. Clients must meet government guidelines of household income not exceeding over 185% of federal poverty threshold and have updated ID to serve as address verification and list all living in the house hold with DOB and SS. People outside the county or unable to present ID will be given a pre-bagged sack of USDA commodities and given opportunity to get produce and bakery goods. Available to all regardless of eligibility during pantry hours. Mondays 10:00am–12:30pm, Wednesdays 2:00–4:30pm, Thursdays 4:30–6:00pm, and Friday 12:30–2:00pm. Located at the southeast side of the building in from of the Community Hope Church.
501 N Front St.
Montezuma, IA 50171
Phone: 641-623-3275
Food in the Schools
Free and Reduced Lunch Programs
Paid for through the USDA, this program offers free and reduced-cost lunches to income-eligible children. Sign up through the schools.
Montezuma Backpack Program
Food is place in backpacks for students in need (identified by school staff or family). Please call your local school district for more information.
Phone: 641-623-5121
Grinnell Tiger Packs & High School Food Pantry
Tiger packs include a bag a shelf-stable food place in backpacks for students K–8th in need (identified by school staff or family). Questions may be addressed to the school your child attends. The Middle School and High School each have a food pantry and questions about the pantries can be directed to those schools.
Summer Lunch Program
Grinnell CSD
Davis Elementary School
818 Hamilton Ave.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-2775
Montezuma CSD
Phone: 641-623-5121
General
General Assistance (Community Services)
General assistance provides emergency assistance to Poweshiek County residents to meet basic needs, such as food, shelter, medical and utilities. It is not intended to provide on-going, long-term assistance to any individual and/or family.
200 4th Ave. W
PO Box 401
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-9199
Website: http://poweshiekcounty.org
Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS)
Office by appointment only (served by Jasper County Office)
717 5th Ave., Suite 6
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-792-1955
Website: https://dhs.iowa.gov
Assurance Wireless
Federal lifeline assistance program that provides free cell phones to income-eligible people.
PO Box 5040
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: 888-898-4888
Website: https://www.assurancewireless.com
House of Compassion
Services include free evening meals, supply closet and dental/prescription vouchers.
211 W Church St.
Marshalltown, IA 50158
Phone: 641-752-5999
Website: https://www.houseofcompassion.net
Montezuma Ministerial Association
Local churches working together to meet needs of community residents. Community needs fund is for emergency need and crisis situation and not for negligence, irresponsibility, or repeated use throughout the year. Immediate assistance available. Persons in the Montezuma school district may call and speak with Darla Wilson, welfare secretary, and then schedule an appointment to meet with her to see if funds/eligibility are available.
Phone: 641-623-3275
Salvation Army Poweshiek County Service Extension #261
Call welfare secretary, Darla Wilson, for information and an appointment. Provides assistance within the county for a variety of emergency needs according to SA guidelines when funds are available.
First Presbyterian Church
303 E Washington St.
Montezuma, IA 50171
Phone: 641-623-3275
Brooklyn Ministerial Association
503 Clay St.
Brooklyn, IA 52211
Phone: 641-522-9298
Grinnell Ministerial Association
MICA will screen candidates for rent, utilities, and gas vouchers for residents of Grinnell, Malcom, Newburg and Searsboro. Grinnell Police Department distributes 1 time vouchers for hotel room and meals for transient persons.
Phone: 641-236-4748
Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA)
Emergency funds for rent, utilities, and gas vouchers for medical appointments. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), budgeting assistance.
611 4th Ave.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-3923
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Helps connect people to prescription assistance programs.
Phone: 888-477-2669
SafeNet Rx
Provide low-cost pharmaceutical access to our most vulnerable populations while generating significant cost savings across health systems.
Phone: 515-327-5405
Toll Free: 866-282-5817
Website: https://safenetrx.org
NeedyMeds
Find help with the cost of medicine.
Phone: 800-503-6897
Website: https://www.needymeds.org
Homelessness
Central Iowa Shelter & Services
Provide low-barrier shelter, meals and support services at no cost to adults experiencing homelessness and help facilitate their move toward self-sufficiency.
1420 Mulberry St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-284-5719
Website: https://centraliowashelter.org
Primary Health Care—Homeless Support Services
West Side Entrance
1200 University Ave, Suite 110A
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-248-1850
Website: https://phciowa.org
Hope Ministries
Offer free community meals, long-term life recovery program, and men’s emergency shelter.
PO Box 862
Des Moines, IA 50304
Phone: 515-265-7272
Website: https://www.hopeiowa.org
Bethel Mission Men’s Shelter (Hope Ministries)
Provides emergency shelter, food, clothing and case management and support for men.
1310 6th Ave.
Des Moines, IA
Phone: 515-224-5445
Door of Faith (Hope Ministries)
Provide food, clothing, shelter and life recovery support for men, women and children in desperate need.
6701 SW 9th St.
Des Moines, IA 50315
Phone: 515-974-0545
Utility
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Helps low-income families and individuals pay their heating bills through energy assistance grants. The grant results in a one-time payment for an eligible household’s heating costs.
611 4th Ave.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-3923