Food Drive / Student Support Fund
Since school closure, it has been our goal to find numerous ways to help families with food insecurities alleviate that stress in their lives. The Grab & Go Meals through the summer food program have provided thousands of meals a week to students, and we have supplemented that by collaborating with the Food Bank of Iowa.
As food supplies around the state and from the Food Bank of Iowa decline due to high demand, we are wanting to continue to ensure that food boxes are going to those families who are in need. We have received numerous requests from community members asking how they can contribute and support our students. As a result, the Ames Community School District is providing several ways to help in our drive to ensure that no family goes without food.
Food Drive:
We will be hosting a food drive for non-perishable and essential items that will be used in our food boxes. We have created a list of items that are needed, which we have added below.
- Where: Ames Middle School
- Date: Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5
- Time: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Process for dropping off items: Staff will be present to collect the donated items. For the safety of all involved, we encourage everyone to implement social distancing practices when dropping off items.
Donate Money
Monetary donations will be used to purchase items not available through the Food Bank of Iowa or that were not donated through the food drive. As a District, we have set up a separate button on RevTrak for this purpose with 100% of the proceeds going to support students and families.
To support our students through a monetary donation, click on the URL below. Donors can choose to be anonymous, but the site does require an account for payment security purposes.
Want to transfer funds already in your student’s lunch account?
With school out of session, we also know that many families have balances already in their student’s lunch account and we have provided a way to transfer those funds for this purpose. Here is how you can do it: Email kim.fraser@ames.k12.ia.us with your student’s name(s) and how much you would like to donate. Please indicate if you would like to be recognized by the Board for your donation.
Family Support Services:
As a reminder, we have set up a Families in Need of Immediate Assistance form that students, families, or community members can fill out to help the Ames Community School District identify families in need. Building principals are working with school counselors and school Student and Family Advocates to identify families who would benefit from food and supplies. If you know of a barrier such as language, lack of internet access, no phone, or another barrier, please indicate that on the form that helps us track the needs and services provided throughout this COVID-19 pandemic.
The Google form can be accessed through the URL below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrApofHn2HgOhb0qPpYbTNoKtuZm-FmPixHCMbpk95smBx6A/viewform
Email: amesfamilysupport@ames.k12.ia.us
We realize that there will be some families who cannot complete these forms because of various obstacles so our amazing Homeless Liaison and district Student and Family Advocates will continue to connect with families in other ways.
If you are willing and able to donate in any way, we thank you! We can do this together.
List of Items:
Food Items (no glass jars)
- Boxed/Helper meals/ Pasta sides
- Canned fruit (pineapple & mixed fruit)
- Canned chicken or tuna
- Canned meals (ravioli, beef stew, etc.)
- Canned veggies
- Cereal
- Can soups, cream soups
- Fruit juice
- Instant potatoes, rice (Rice-a-Roni)
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Pancake mix & syrup
- Pasta sauce (Spaghetti Sauce)
- Peanut Butter & Jelly
- Snack crackers
Non-food Items:
- Deodorant
- Diapers (size 4-6 & pull-ups) & wipes
- Feminine hygiene products
- Laundry detergent
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Soap/body wash
- Toilet paper, paper towels
- Facial tissues
- Toothpaste & toothbrushes