Our Services

When times get difficult, we're here to help

Through the generosity of our partner organizations and individual donors, as well as from funds we receive from various grants, we are able to offer emergency food and gasoline vouchers, emergency rent, and emergency utility assistance.

Emergency Food Assistance

Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance, Inc. provides Story County households with Emergency Food Vouchers or gift cards that allow for the purchase of food in local grocery stores. Currently, vouchers are accepted at Wheatsfield, Fareway, Fareway Meat Market, and HyVee stores in Ames; Fareway in Nevada, and Huxley; and Town & Country Market in Slater.  Fareway gift cards can be used in any Fareway store.

Each household is responsible for deciding what foods they need. Vouchers or gift cards, only food may be purchased.

There must be an financial emergency or crisis need to receive Emergency Food Assistance.  Recipients must be using local free resources like pantries, free markets, and community meal sites; they must apply for SNAP assistance, to be eligible for Emergency Food Assistance.  

How to Apply

Good Neighbor is open by appointment only.  Everyone is required to wear masks when in our office.

Please call 515-296-1449 to set up your appointment. Please leave a message if we don’t answer – we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.  You may also contact us by email at:  assistance@gnea.org 

    What You Need to Apply

    1. A photo ID
    2. Income information/verification 
    3. Listing of household expenses
    4. Proof of Story County residency

    Households may be eligible for emergency food assistance once every 120 days.  A review of need is required each time a household applies for assistance.

     

      Fast Facts about Food Insecurity

      1 in 8 Iowans are food insecure.

      1 in 5 Iowa children does not have enough to eat

      384,830 Iowans live at or below the poverty level.

      Being food insecure means having to decide between paying for food or paying for medical care or medicine

      Being food insecure means having to decide between paying for food or paying rent or utilities

      Emergency Transportation

      Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance, Inc. has funding for  Gasoline Vouchers and CyRide Reduced Fare Tickets to be used in crisis and emergency situations. 

      How to Apply

      Good Neighbor is open by appointment only.  Everyone is required to wear masks when in our office.

      Please call 515-296-1449 to set up your appointment. Please leave a message if we don’t answer – we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.  You may also contact us by email at:  assistance@gnea.org 

          What You Need to Apply

          1. A photo ID
          2. Household income information/verification 
          3. Listing of household expenses
          4. If your photo ID does not have your current address, we will need proof of Story County residency

          Households may be eligible for emergency transportation assistance once every 120 days.  A review of need is required each time a household applies for assistance.

           

            Phone Cards, Cell Phone Plan Bills, and Internet Bills

            Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance, Inc.  has funding for $35 monthly phone cards and/or to make payments on cell phone plans or internet bills.  Phone cards are limited to Straight Talk, and their availability may be limited. 

            How to Apply

            Good Neighbor is open by appointment only.  Everyone is required to wear masks when in our office.

            Please call 515-296-1449 to set up your appointment. Please leave a message if we don’t answer – we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.  You may also contact us by email at:  assistance@gnea.org 

                What You Need to Apply

                1. A photo ID
                2. Income information/verification 
                3. Listing of household expenses
                4. If your photo ID does not have your current address, we will need proof of Story County residency

                Households may be eligible for emergency phone assistance once every 120 days.  A review of need is required each time a household applies for assistance.

                 

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                  Rent & Utility Assistance

                  /ifGood Neighbor Emergency Assistance Inc. has funding to assist Story County Households with rent and/or utility payments in case of crisis or emergency. 

                  We collaborate with Story County General Assistance (SCGA) and other Story County Agencies for a single entry application process.  This means you only have to apply to ONE agency, ONE time, and get ONE set of documents for your application.  Please contact SCGA if you are in need of Rent or Utility Assistance. They are located at 126 S Kellogg Avenue, Suite 001, Ames.  You can contact them by:

                             1.  Phone: 515-663-2930

                             2.  Email: communityservices@storycountyiowa.gov

                  SCGA will reach out to Good Neighbor, and any of the other collaborating agencies you want to review your application, to let us know you’ve applied.  If SCGA can not assist you, or if you need additional assistance, Good Neighbor will contact you to let you know how or if we can help.

                  Assistance amounts vary depending on household size, individual situations, and Good Neighbor’s availability of funds.

                   

                    Nearly 40 million people in the United States live in poverty, according to the annual reporting of income, poverty, and health insurance data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The data reveal a small and not statistically significant decline in the poverty rate, from 12.7 percent in 2016 to 12.3 percent in 2017.

                    ~ September 2018 Food Research and Action Center, Washington, D.C.

                    Just like millions of people across the United States, 64% of residents of Story County live paycheck to paycheck.  Their income is near or below the national poverty level which is about $25,100 for a family of four. Households in our communities are forced to make hard decisions between paying rent and utilities on time or buying groceries or medication and medical care for family members.

                    In collaboration with other Story County Public and Private Human Service Agencies, we coordinate to provide rental and utility assistance to households in crisis situations.

                    Still have questions?

                    Use the form below. We will do our best to respond on the next business day.