Our Services
When times get difficult, we're here to helpThrough 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 Cards and Vouchers that allow for the purchase of food in local grocery stores. Currently, our primary form of food assistance is food cards that can be used at any Fareway in Story County, including the Meat Markets. Vouchers are accepted at Wheatsfield Co-Op, Fareway, Fareway Meat Market, and HyVee stores in Ames; Fareway in Nevada, Huxley and Story City; and Town & Country Market in Slater.
Each household is responsible for deciding what foods they need. Whether you receive 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, and we will be happy to offer information on additional available resources.
How to Apply
Good Neighbor is open by appointment only.
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
- A photo ID
- We will ask about household income and expenses.
- Proof of Story County residency
Households may be eligible for emergency food assistance once every 90 days; length of time between visits is not, however, the main determiner of eligibility. 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.
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
- A photo ID
- We will ask about household income and expenses.
- Proof of Story County residency
Households may be eligible for emergency gas or bus assistance once every 90 days; length of time between visits is not, however, the main determiner of eligibility. A review of need is required each time a household applies for assistance.
Cell Phone Assistance
Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance, Inc. has funding for $35 monthly pre-paid phone cards. Phone cards are limited to Straight Talk, and their availability may be limited.
How to Apply
Good Neighbor is open by appointment only.
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
- A photo ID
- We will ask about household income and expenses.
- Proof of Story County residency
Households may be eligible for emergency cell phone assistance once every 90 days; length of time between visits is not, however, the main determiner of eligibility. A review of need is required each time a household applies for assistance.
Rent & Utility Assistance
Good 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@
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.