October 2024 Change for Community: Food at First
October’s Change for Community recipient is Food At First Round up your transactions during October in support!
Food at First is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing meals to anyone who is hungry, everyone welcome, no questions asked. Food at First serves a hot meal every day of the year and hasn’t missed a meal in two decades! All meals are served in the lower level of First Christian Church in downtown Ames.
The Food at First food pantry called the Free Market is open three days a week. Almost everything Food at First serves is made from food gleaned from local grocery stores, restaurants, and Iowa State University. Not only does Food at First help those who are hungry, it helps reduce food waste in Ames! In 2022 38,700 individuals were served through the Free Market, and 30,000 meals were served through the Free Meal program.
Food at First operates on donations from individuals and businesses. These donations go towards Food at First building expenses, equipment repairs, one paid employee, cleaning supplies, paper products and other items that are not normally donated. It costs Food at First $1.35 to provide one free meal. A $100 donation can feed 74 patrons.
Learn more here https://foodatfirst.com/
