Empowering Ames: How Food Pantries Are Transforming Community Lives

As the holiday season draws near, many students seek ways to give back. A notable organization in Ames is Food at First, located at the First Lutheran Church on Clark Avenue. This nonprofit serves hot meals daily and offers food pantry access on specific days of the week.

“We have maintained our service for 21 years without a single day off,” says Executive Director Patty Yoder. Currently, the food pantry operates three days a week. Yoder has recently observed a worrying trend: more families are turning to Food at First for help.

“While we don’t see a surge in attendees during the holidays, our average hot meal count has risen to about 700 a week. The food pantry serves around 550 to 600 families each week,” Yoder explains. The ongoing government shutdown is a key factor, causing anxiety for many families who may struggle to find enough food.

Sam Fraser, a local resident, relies on community resources and worries about the potential loss of SNAP benefits. “We depend on these services to make it through the month. I’m concerned about what we will do without SNAP, but I’m thankful for the support,” he shares.

The community is often generous during the holidays, with many donating to food drives. However, Yoder emphasizes that Food at First heavily relies on donations throughout the year, including contributions from local businesses like Sam’s Club and Target.

Interestingly, summer sees a drop in both donations and volunteers. Yoder highlights this gap: “In summer, people often forget we’re here. We actually need help during that time.”

Volunteers from Iowa State University play a crucial role, but their absence in summer makes it challenging to maintain services. Yoder wishes the organization could do more but remains grateful for what they can accomplish.

“We focus mainly on dry goods, but we often lack dairy items and other essentials. Ziploc bags are always in demand since we repackage a lot of food,” she notes.

With hunger affecting many locals, Food at First is one of several critical resources available in Ames. Other organizations include the Salvation Army, SHOP Food Pantry, and Bethesda Community Food Pantry.

Recent statistics show a rise in food insecurity nationwide, with 10.5% of U.S. households struggling to provide adequate meals. In Ames, the local response underscores a communal effort to tackle hunger head-on.

As the holiday spirit inspires giving, it’s vital to remember that the need persists long after the season ends.



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