Food at First
The Food At First program, in Ames, Iowa, currently consists of two parts: a free meal program, and a perishable food pantry which is called the Free Market.
The free meal program serves seven meals a week, 365 days per year, and is open to anyone who is hungry, no questions asked. Most are evening meals, and all are served at First Christian Church in downtown Ames. While the name is similar, Food At First is independent of First Christian Church who generously allows us to use their building! Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the program is our source of food: almost everything that we serve would otherwise have been thrown away by local grocery stores and food services, but has been turned into wonderful, tasty meals! Because of that, we have PLENTY of food for anyone who could use a little help.
The perishable food pantry takes the thousands of pounds of great food that are left over AFTER taking what FAF needs to prepare wholesome healthy meals, and gives it away to folks who need it. Distribution happens at what we call our “Free Market”: 611 Clark Ave (First Christian Church). Because the food is perishable, we collect it and give it away at regular distributions – distributions are at 4:45 to 5:30 PM every Monday and Thursday at First Christian Church, and 10:00 to 10:30 on Saturday mornings.