Where to Find Free Thanksgiving Meals in Story County and Boone County

For those in need, churches and other organizations in Story County and Boone County are serving free Thanksgiving food.

Here’s a look at where local families can enjoy free Thanksgiving meals this holiday season.

Related: For those in need, here’s where to find free Thanksgiving meals in central Iowa.

Food at First in downtown Ames

Food at First will be serving Thanksgiving dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 25. Takeout can be picked up at First Christian Church, located at 611 Clark Ave. in Ames, in front of the police station. .

No on-site meals are available. Face masks are compulsory.

Food at First served about 650 people on Thanksgiving last year, according to executive director Patty Yoder. Volunteers are preparing 800 meals this year.

Food at First is a local non-profit organization that offers free daily meals and a free perishable food market. Although hosted at First Christian Church, Food at First is an independent organization.

First Christian Church in Nevada

A free Thanksgiving dinner will be available at First Christian Church, located at 250 E. Ave., from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on November 25. Guests can dine in person or pick up their meals on the sidewalk.

Pre-orders are requested. To order, call 515-401-7321 and leave a voicemail message.

More than 200 people bought Thanksgiving meals at First Christian Church last year, according to volunteer Barb Mittman.

Following: Six Philanthropy Awards presented to individuals, organizations and businesses in Story County

Boone First United Methodist Church

Boone First United Methodist Church’s 24th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on November 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 703 Arden St. in Boone. Due to concerns over COVID-19, the event will only be driving, according to a press release.

The menu will include a combination of regular and smoked turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, homemade cranberry sauce, rolls and pie.

“The fellowship will certainly be missed, but the health and safety of our families and neighbors is always a priority,” Thanksgiving committee chair Brad Filipiak said in the statement. “We look forward to the day when we can have a meal again.”

A record 771 meals were served last year and 900 meals will be prepared this year. Hours of service will run from 11 a.m. to noon and noon to 1 p.m. with 450 meals per hour, according to the press release.

To volunteer to help or make reservations, call the church office at 515-432-4660. Reservations are encouraged but not required. If you book, please indicate your choice of time of service and number of meals.

Isabella Rosario is a public security reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter at @irosarioc.