Hunger in Iowa: Food Pantries and Community Fridges in the Des Moines Metro 

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Hunger in Iowa: Food Pantries and Community Fridges in the Des Moines Metro 

Food pantries and community fridges offer food to those in need. Food pantries are usually more organized (monitored, staffed by volunteers, and structured) and have specific hours of operation. They may have restrictions, such as income requirements and limits on the number of visits.

A community fridge is a designated refrigerator that might include a freezer and/or pantry, offering free food to community members. It is typically placed in public areas such as libraries, apartment buildings, or outside businesses. The fridge is filled with donated items from community volunteers and local businesses. Anyone can access it without needing an ID or proof of income. Some are available 24/7, while others located within businesses have specific operating hours.

Learn about hunger in Iowa, organizations that can help, and where to find local community fridges, food pantries, and school food pantries in the Des Moines Metro.

Hunger in Iowa

The USDA has tracked hunger nationwide for the past 30 years, but in 2025, it announced it would discontinue this effort. The most recent 2023 report found that one in eight Iowans (12%) and one in six children (16.6%) face food insecurity. 

Food insecurity is the lack of access to enough food (including healthy, nutritious food) and uncertainty about where the next meal will come from. This can stem from reduced income or resources and may lead to worry and anxiety about securing food.

According to the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC):

• 1 in 4 Des Moines residents used a DMARC pantry last year
• 53% increase in new pantry visitors within the last two years
• 1 in 3 visitors to food pantries were children

The Food Bank of Iowa states that:

• 385,130 Iowans face food insecurity
• 37% of Iowa households don’t make enough to cover basic needs
• 40.7% of Iowa households receiving SNAP benefits have children

Sometimes people don’t qualify for SNAP due to their income level, yet they remain food insecure.

Organizations

There are many wonderful local organizations supporting community members. Check out the resources below to learn more about hunger in Iowa and how you can help.

• Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is a multi-faith collaboration working to meet basic needs in the Des Moines community.
• Des Moines Refugee Support supports refugee families in Iowa. They frequently post about food donation needs for community fridges and the Urban Dreams Food Pantry at Broadlawns.
• Eat Greater Des Moines is a local organization that helps our community produce, distribute, and access food, including support for gardens, food rescue partnerships, and assistance with community fridges. 
• Food Bank of Iowa works to provide food to Iowa children, families, and seniors so they can lead full, active lives and strengthen their communities. Check out their website for an extensive list of food pantries and partners throughout Iowa. Learn more about food banks and food pantries on their website here.
• Meals from the Heartland is a volunteer organization that packs nutritious, shelf-stable meals for malnourished people in Iowa, across the U.S., and globally.
• Supply Hive is a nonprofit that provides food rescue, mutual aid, and community support. Their website also lists community fridges in other counties.

Community Fridges in the Des Moines Metro:

Ankeny:

DMACC Ankeny Campus; 2006 S Ankeny Blvd, Building 6, Ankeny, IA

Open: Building hours

Altoona:

Altoona Public Library; 700 8^th Street SW, Altoona, IA

Open: Library hours

Des Moines:

Apartments

Deer Ridge Apartments	6009 Creston Avenue, Des Moines, IA	Open: Community room hours
Canterbury Park Apartments	935 Sherrylynn Blvd, Des Moines, IA	Open: Community room hours
Harrington Apartments	677 16th Street, Des Moines, IA	Open: Community room hours
Hilltop Apartments	3722 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, IA	Open: Community room hours
Lyn Crossing Apartments	2000 Meadow Chase Lane, Des Moines, IA	Open: Community room hours
Oakridge Neighborhood Services	1401 Center Street, Des Moines, IA	Open: Community room hours
Oakview Terrace Apartments	2901 Boston Avenue, Des Moines, IA	Open: Community room hours
Rosemont Apartments	2022 E. Rose Avenue, Des Moines, IA	Open: Community room hours
Sutton Hill Apartments	2100 SE King Avenue, Des Moines, IA	Open: Community room hours. This fridge is located in the Sutton Hill clubhouse and stocked by Eat Greater Des Moines every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They also have a community pantry accepting nonperishable goods.

Businesses

Budget Inn and Suites	5220 NE 14th St, Des Moines, IA	Open: 24/7
Caremore Medical Clinic	1530 E Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA	Open: Building hours
Common Bond Properties	1440 E. Grand Avenue, Building 1440, Des Moines, IA	Open: Community room hours
Community Youth Concepts (CYC) Community Fridge	1446 Martin Luther King Jr Parkway, Des Moines, IA 50314	The fridge is located in a white shed behind the building. (515) 243-4292 Hours: Open 24/7 Facebook page: CYC Community Fridge Facebook

Colleges:

DMACC South	1111 E. Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA	Open: Building hours
DMACC Urban Campus	1144 7th Street, Des Moines, IA	Open: Building hours

Churches:

Grace United Methodist Church	3700 Cottage Grove, Des Moines	Open: 24/7
New Beginnings Christian Church	8631 Hickman Road, Des Moines	Open: 24/7
St. Andrews Episcopal Church	5720 Urbandale Ave, Des Moines, IA	Parking Lot Hours: Open 24/7

Libraries:

Des Moines Central Library	1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines
Des Moines East Side Library	2559 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, IA	Open: Monday-Saturday during the library’s open hours This is a community pantry only.
Des Moines South Side Library	1111 SW Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA	Hours: Monday through Saturday during the library’s open hours Fridge and pantry
Forest Avenue Library	1326 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, IA	Open: Monday-Saturday during the library’s open hours.
Franklin Avenue Library	5000 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines, IA	Open: Monday-Saturday during library hours

Urbandale:

Urbandale Public Library; 3520 86^th Avenue, Urbandale, IA

Open: Library hours

This location does not accept home-cooked meals.

Waukee:

Windfield West Apartments; 75 SE Windfield Parkway, Des Moines, IA

Open: Community room hours

West Des Moines: 

Chapel Ridge Apartments	210 S 41st St, West Des Moines, IA	Open: Community room hours
St. Mark Lutheran Church	1105 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA	Open: 24/7

Food Pantries in the Des Moines Metro

Mobile Food Pantries:

The Food Bank of Iowa operates mobile pantries in 30 counties, with most open once a month. This helps deliver food directly to people who may lack transportation or other resources to obtain it. See the mobile pantry schedule and locations.

School Food Pantries:

The Food Bank of Iowa supports 167 school pantries throughout the state by providing food, equipment, and structure. School staff run the pantry, and families can visit as often as needed. Visit the Food Bank of Iowa School Food Pantries website to find your local school pantry.

Multiple Locations:

DMARC 

This network of 14 food pantries is available throughout the Metro, including locations in Ankeny, Clive, Des Moines, Johnston, Urbandale, and West Des Moines. Click here for a list of locations, hours, and other information. Download a food-pantry location map from their website in English or Spanish.

Altoona:

Caring Hands Food Pantry

602 3rd St SW, Altoona, IA; 515-967-4533
Open: Monday-Friday 12:00-5:00 PM

This pantry is by appointment only. Call to schedule Monday-Friday between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

Ankeny:

IMPACT Polk County (Ankeny)	641 S. Ankeny Blvd, Suite H, Ankeny, IA	Located in the Community Resource Connection Building Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Open: Wednesday 9:30 AM-4:30 PM	No income restriction, and households can come once per month. Delivery option is available for those in Polk County by calling 515-518-4770. Access their “Anytime Shelves” as often as needed, with items available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ankeny Service Center	641 S. Ankeny Blvd. Suite H, Ankeny, IA; 515-965-1976		Guests can access the pantry once per month on a walk-in basis. Personal care items may also be available.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Food Pantry	517 SW Des Moines St, Ankeny, IA;   515-964-4348	Open: Tuesdays 12:00-6:00 PM	No income restriction.
Hope Ankeny – The Cupboard	520 NW 36th St, Ankeny, IA  515-964-5586	Open: Fridays, 8:30 AM-4:00 PM	Guests can enter through the lower-level “Harbor” entrance to shop for food and personal care items twice each month. No income restrictions. Free haircuts are also offered here on the first Friday of the month between 1:00-4:00 PM.

Clive:

Salvation Army Capital Area Command

1400 NW. 100th St., Clive, IA; 515-282-3599

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-3:30 PM

This food pantry also has an anytime rack and produce available Monday-Friday.

Des Moines:

Dream Center Des Moines	2725 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA  515-279-9766	Open: Wednesdays 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Visitors can come weekly to select food and personal hygiene items.
Eastside Church of the Nazarene	1451 E 25th St, Des Moines, IA  515-265-6000	Open: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 AM-10:30 AM The pantry is by appointment only. Call at 9 AM on Tuesday or Thursday to schedule a pickup time.
EMBARC Iowa	4801 Franklin Ave, Room 148, Des Moines, IA  515-975-7241	Open: Every 4th Thursday of the month, 4:00-5:30 PM In partnership with Vineyard Church, this pantry is open to everyone. It specifically focuses on providing culturally relevant food to help meet the needs of the refugee and immigrant community. They provide culturally appropriate Asian focused core foods such as rice, ramen, fish oil, soy sauce, and traditional produce items.
Grand View University	2811 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA  515-263-2885	Call for more information on hours.
Iglesia del Nazareno	1451 E 25th St, Des Moines, IA  515-639-0840	Open: Tuesdays 6:00-7:00 PM Call for more information on their food distribution services.
IMPACT Polk County (Drake Neighborhood)	3226 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA	Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Open: Wednesday 9:30 AM-4:30 PM No income restriction, and households can come once per month. Delivery option is available for those in Polk County by calling 515-518-4770. Access their “Anytime Shelves” as often as needed, with items available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Joppa	2326 Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA  515-288-5699	Open: Tuesday-Friday 12:00 PM-4:00 PM Joppa is a Homeless Resource Center that provides coffee, food, and a water-refilling station, among other services, to support people experiencing homelessness.
Proteus Inc.	1221 Center Street, Suite 16, Des Moines, IA 515-271-5306	Open: Monday-Wednesday 9:00 AM-4:30 PM
Staves Memorial United Methodist Church	2747 E Madison Avenue, Des Moines, IA  515-266-0265	Open: 1st Monday of the month from 5:00-7:00 PM 2nd and last Saturday of each month from 2:00-5:00 PM This food pantry is open to anyone in central Iowa to shop.
St. Theresa Catholic Church	1230 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA  515-279-4654	Open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10:00 AM-1:45 PM This emergency pantry provides fresh and packaged food, as well as personal care products. Eligible households can access the pantry once per month. Contact them for details.
St. Vincent de Paul-North	1426 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 515-282-8327 Ext. 140	Open during their business hours, but call as it’s subject to change
St. Vincent de Paul- South	500 Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA 515-282-8328 Ext. 230	Open during their business hours, but call as it’s subject to change
Urban Dreams Food Pantry	1615 2nd Avenue, Des Moines	Open daily (check their website) There are no requirements, and visitors can come up to once per day.
Watchmen Community Center	2723 Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA  515-988-4347	Open: Pick up a food box on Thursdays from 10 AM-2:00 PM Pick up a hot meal on Wednesdays from 5:30 PM-6:30 PM Watchmen Operations seeks to improve humanity by supporting and protecting community members, including through martial arts, youth programs, and resource provision. Call for more information about food resources.
The Well Covenant Church	2625 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA  515-266-1732	Open: 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 9:30 AM-12:00 PM This pantry supplies free food, clothing, and housewares. It is open to all, and there are no income requirements

Grimes:

Grimes Storehouse

112 NE Ewing St, Suite B, Grimes, IA; 515-986-4191

Open: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

1^st and 2^nd Tuesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 PM

This pantry is open to Grimes residents to shop once per month for food and clothing. Personal care, baby and household cleaning items are also available. Visitors must bring a photo ID, a copy of a current rent or utility bill, information about each family member, and reusable bags. There are income restrictions for this pantry.

Norwalk:

Norwalk Area Food Pantry

4380 Wakonda Dr, Norwalk, IA ; 515-285-5965

Open: Thursdays 2:00-7:00 PM

This pantry serves residents of Northern Warren County. Picture ID is required, and there are no income restrictions. Visitors will receive 2-3 pre-filled bags of food, along with meat and milk when available. It operates as a drive-thru service. If visitors cannot attend during open hours, call to arrange an alternative time. Visitors can come up to 3 times per month. Children and youth receive a child-sized bag containing snacks and, if available, personal hygiene products.

They also have an Emergency Pantry, open 24/7, located outside the food pantry entrance.

Urbandale:
New Point Church

3201 99th St, Urbandale, IA; 515-987-9595

Open: Food pick up Wednesdays 12:30-2:30 PM

They operate a weekly food relief program, distributing boxes of food to those waiting in cars. Contact the church for more information.

Waukee:

WayPoint Resources

1155 SE Boone Dr, Waukee, IA; 515-987-5523
Open: Mondays 12:00 PM-6:00 PM

Tuesday-Thursday 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

Saturday 9:00 AM-11:00 AM

Visitors must live in Dallas County or the Waukee Community School District. First-time visitors must complete a brief check-in process, provide identification for each household member, proof of residency, and bring reusable bags. Clients can chop once each month for a week’s worth of groceries. See their website for details.

They also have an Anytime Food Room, open to anyone, and available once per day during open hours for shelf-stable items.

West Des Moines:

The Pantry at Hope – Lutheran Church of Hope	925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA	Open: Fridays 1:00-4:00 PM No income restrictions. Guests can enter through the northeast building entrance to shop for food twice a month
West Des Moines United Methodist Church	720 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA  515-279-0826	Open: 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 3:00-5:30 PM Check out their Facebook page for the most up-to-date information. Families will receive 3 days of food.

How can the community support this cause?

1. Donate purchased food.

Purchase food items to donate and leave in the fridge and/or pantry. Some locations have Facebook pages or websites (see above) that list desired food items. Eat Greater Des Moines also provides a list of ideas here, such as milk, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, deli meat, and eggs.

2. Donate food cooked at home or extra food from events.

Donate any extra food from catered events or homemade meals that would otherwise go to waste. It must be fresh (not expired), labeled with ingredients and labeled with the date made. Many community fridges accept homemade food, but some do not. This is not accepted at food pantries.

3. Donate extra fruits and vegetables from your garden.

Fresh produce is always needed. 

4. Donate money to local food pantries.

Food pantries often use funds to purchase bulk food at lower costs and to cover operational expenses (transportation, staff, etc.). This also allows them to buy food that may be culturally relevant or desired in the area.

5. Volunteer at food pantries.

Help stock shelves, help guests find food, pack boxes of food, and more.