Where Hungry Families in North Central Iowa Can Get Support

United Way of North Central Iowa makes it easier every day for families to get healthy food on a budget, where they live and when they need it. From mobile food pantries to food rescue programs, United Way of North Central Iowa works with community partners and volunteers to ensure families are supported.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, we have stepped up our regular efforts to make sure all of our neighbors have access to food. 

If you or someone you know is struggling to get food, please check out one of these resources:

Meals

  • Community Kitchen of North Iowa: 606 N Monroe Ave, Mason City – 641-424-2316

    • Carry out meals and bread pick up

    • Lunch: Monday – Saturday pick up 10:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

    • Dinner: Monday-Thursday pick up 4:45 p.m. – 6 p.m.

  • Elderbridge Agency on Aging – 1190 Briarstone Dr., Mason City – 641-424-0678

    • Clear Lake residents affected by the suspension of their Community Kitchen may call and have a two- week supply of frozen or shelf stable meals shipped to them.

    • Insecure Adults with disabilities or over the age of 60 – Call 800-243-0678 for assistance

  • Meals on Wheels

    • Mason City – 641-380-0080 - No changes currently – Monday-Friday, in town

    • Clear Lake has been suspended.

    • Charles City - available Monday-Friday, call -641-257-4349

    • New Hampton, call 641-394-3173

Pantry Access

  • Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank – 122 South Adams Ave, Mason City

    • Hours M-F 1-4pm each week

    • Items will receive pre-packaged box of food, including meat, milk, eggs, bread and sweets

**Clients are asked to remain in their vehicles. A yellow card or ID is necessary to obtain a food box**

  • For more information, call 641-424-3073

  • Clear Lake/Ventura Food Pantry,

    • Open: Wednesday 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and the 1st and 3rd Friday from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

    • We are offering a Drive through service for all our registered clients where we will give them pre-made boxes/bags of food based on their family size.

    • Discontinued all our Community Kitchen Dinners

    • Clear Lake recipients in need of meals may contact Elderbridge and have a two-week supply of frozen or shelf stable meals shipped to them.

  • Chickasaw County Food Pantry – 417 N Sherman Road, New Hampton

    • Friday mornings – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

    • Call for more information 641-394-5454

  • Franklin County – 302 5th Ave NE, Hampton – Changes effective March 27th

    • Tuesday and Friday – 10am – Noon

    • Clients must call in advance (641-456-2456) and their box will be placed outside the door.

  • Floyd County – Messiah Food Pantry

    • 12:00pm – 3:00pm Monday & Friday, 9:00am – 12:00pm Wednesday

    • **Must be a Floyd County Resident. Must have a Photo ID with current local address. Income based guidelines. May only receive assistance once every 30 days

  • Floyd County – Bethany Alliance Church

    • Non-perishable foods on an emergency basis. Call 641-228-1318

    • Office Hours: 9:00am-12pm/1:00pm-3:00pm Monday- Friday

  • Manly – Bethel United Methodist Church

    • Food and Personal Care/Hygiene items

    • If you cannot come during daytime hours, contact Pastor Cory Allare at 404-788-4997

  • Mitchell County Food Bank – 415 Pleasant St, Osage

    • Open Tuesdays and Fridays – 10AM – 11:30 AM

    • Come to the door. People will be met by a volunteer that will ask for name, address and number of people in the household. They will then come back to the door with the food.

  • Mohawk Market – Roosevelt School – 122 S Adams, Mason City

    • Contact Tara Truex 641-210-8659 or Dan Arjes 641-494-6002

    • Grocery/Food Bank for school population

    • Delivery only

    • Pre-Boxed groceries delivered 2 times/month

  • West Fork Food Pantry – Zion St John's Lutheran – 422 Sherman St, Sheffield – 641-892-4010

    • 1st Thursday of each month 10am – 12Noon

    • 3rd Thursday of each month 3:30 pm – 5:30pm

    • For Residents of Franklin County or the West Fork School District. Bring an ID or current bill to verify residency

  • West Fork Wishes Pantry – West Fork Community Schools

 

We’re proud of the work we are doing with partners and volunteers in the community, and together we can do more. Community members who are interested in helping can: 

  1. Donate food to permanent and mobile pantries, like Mohawk Market. Pantries provide an effective way for families to get food when they need to stretch their budget to make ends meet or as temporary relief when unexpected expenses come up. When you donate, consider healthy options like canned salmon, dried beans or brown rice to help increase the availability of nutritious items.

  2. Donate money to United Way of North Central Iowa to support agencies helping allieviate food insecurity.

 

When it counts this community comes together. We see this every day and especially in response to recent events. Thank you to all of you who show up for your neighbors. We are truly in this together. 

 

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