Serving Ames with Compassion
Food at First began with a simple mission: to ensure that no one in Ames goes hungry. What started as a small volunteer effort has grown into a thriving community organization offering Free Meals and groceries every week — no questions asked.
Mission
At Food at First, our mission is to provide nourishing meals to individuals and families experiencing hunger or food insecurity, while reducing food waste through the recovery and redistribution of surplus food.
Vision
We envision a community where every person has access to healthy, dignified, and consistent meals, and where food resources are used responsibly to benefit all.
Food at First provides structured access to hot meals and perishable food items, each client is welcome to our Free Meal and Free Market any time they are open.
Compassion
Treating every individual with dignity, respect, and kindness
Integrity
Acting with transparency, honesty, and accountability in all we do
Sustainability
Reducing food waste and making the most of our shared resources
Collaboration
Partnering with local organizations, businesses, and volunteers to maximize our impact
Community
Building connections among neighbors, volunteers, and partners to support one another
Connecting
Abundance with Need
Beautiful apples, bright green lettuce, and tasty ribs that don’t sell in time used to end up in the trash. Thanks to Food at First’s commitment, these foods are redirected to feed our neighbors in need. Through our gleaning program, we turn what would have been waste into nourishment and community connection.
History
Food at First began in March 2003 as a Lenten outreach program of First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Ames, Iowa. What started as a seasonal project quickly grew into a year-round effort to meet the ongoing need for free, nutritious meals in the community.
The name Food at First reflects both the program’s origins—meals first served at First United Methodist—and its deeper purpose: while food may bring people through the door, it’s the sense of community, dignity, and mutual support that keeps them coming back.
Over the years, Food at First has expanded from one weekly meal to serving free daily meals with the help of volunteers, partner churches, and local organizations. Since 2015, we’ve been located at 611 Clark Avenue, in the lower level of First Christian Church, where we continue to provide meals and community for all—no questions asked, and no qualifications required.
Thursday Free Meal program begins as First United Methodist Church’s Lenten outreach
Tuesday added to program through partnership with St Cecelia Church. Program name changes to Food at First
Program expands to four days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Friday night meal added
FAF answers Ames’ growing hunger need by offering meals seven days a week
FAF partners with local partners to provide Free Market program, answering Ames’ need for free fresh food, plus providing a method for redistributing viable fresh food which would otherwise go to landfills
Food at First moves to current location at 611 Clark Ave
FAF continues free programs to fulfill the growing need in the Ames community
March 2003
December 2004
February 2005
October 2008
2009
2009
2015
Looking to the Future
Food at First Staff
Patty Yoder
Executive Director
Patty has been with Food at First almost from its inception. She began as a volunteer and now leads the organization as Executive Director, coordinating all the moving parts of its hot meal and food pantry programs. Patty also oversees finances, manages grants, and works closely with staff to guide daily operations and address long-term challenges.
Audra Piittmann
Assistant to the Director
Audra helps with the day-to-day operations at Food at First, accepting financial donations as well as food and other donations. She assists clients with their needs and manages the many and varied daily duties at FAF; her efforts help free the Executive Director to focus her many duties as well.
Lincoln Gartin
Volunteer Coordinator
Lincoln recruits, trains, and manages the volunteers who make Food at First’s mission possible. She maintains the volunteer database, coordinates scheduling, tracks hours, and provides ongoing support and feedback. Lincoln also serves as a vital link between staff and volunteers, ensuring everyone feels valued and connected.
James Kell
Dining Room Manager
James serves under the supervision of the Executive Director to maintain a welcoming and safe environment in the Food at First dining room. James provides high-quality customer service to all visitors and clients, accepting donations, answering operational questions, and ensuring that the dining room environment remains clean and comfortable while enforcing the rules of conduct.
Board of Directors
Joslin Soule-Peters
President
Megan Klein-Hewett
Vice President
Bob Jolly
Treasurer
Neta Friedberg
Secretary
Dawn Heaberlin
Member
Alice May
Member
Ron Eichmeier
Member
Denny Anderson
Member
Dévon Lewis
Member