Support Charity Navigator

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Food at First

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

Food at First envisions a community where no one goes hungry, surplus food is never wasted, and every person is treated with dignity and care.

Goals

1.For 10 years, our home has been a church basement. Volunteers have moved millions of pounds of food by hand. Guests have filled every seat. Storage has been improvised. Flow has been managed. We have stretched, rearranged, and optimized the space to its fullest potential. To increase our capacity to transform surplus food into a reliable community resource, we are building a dedicated facility.
2.At our new location, Food at First will increase access to free healthy groceries in a market-style setting with the dignity of choice and deliver more daily meals in a welcoming group environment that reduces social isolation. Dining capacity will increase from 120 to 180 ADA-accessible seats, and food storage capacity will expand by 40%.
3.Food at First will share abundance, connect people to resources, and offer a hand up, leading to physical and mental well-being. Our new location will allow expanded Kindness Services to provide everyday supports—showers, laundry, and safe space—the basic dignities that help people feel clean, comfortable, and cared for.

Ames IA | EIN: 27-0597091

Profile managed by nonprofit | Is this your nonprofit?

501(c)(3) organization

611 Clark Ave.,
Ames IA 50010-0087

Mail donations to: PO Box 87,
Ames IA 50010-0087

https://www.foodatfirst.com

515-344-4357

Food at First

Mission

Vision

Food at First envisions a community where no one goes hungry, surplus food is never wasted, and every person is treated with dignity and care.

Goals

1.For 10 years, our home has been a church basement. Volunteers have moved millions of pounds of food by hand. Guests have filled every seat. Storage has been improvised. Flow has been managed. We have stretched, rearranged, and optimized the space to its fullest potential. To increase our capacity to transform surplus food into a reliable community resource, we are building a dedicated facility.
2.At our new location, Food at First will increase access to free healthy groceries in a market-style setting with the dignity of choice and deliver more daily meals in a welcoming group environment that reduces social isolation. Dining capacity will increase from 120 to 180 ADA-accessible seats, and food storage capacity will expand by 40%.
3.Food at First will share abundance, connect people to resources, and offer a hand up, leading to physical and mental well-being. Our new location will allow expanded Kindness Services to provide everyday supports—showers, laundry, and safe space—the basic dignities that help people feel clean, comfortable, and cared for.

Ames IA | EIN: 27-0597091

Profile managed by nonprofit | Is this your nonprofit?

501(c)(3) organization

611 Clark Ave.,
Ames IA 50010-0087

Mail donations to: PO Box 87,
Ames IA 50010-0087

https://www.foodatfirst.com

515-344-4357

Beacon Report

Great
Good
Needs Improvement
Poor
Incomplete
Additional Information

Website Reported on Tax Form:Yes

SCORE100%

Disclosing the charity’s website promotes transparency and provides access to the public.

Source: Public data from IRS Form 990. Fiscal Year 2025.

No Material Diversion of Assets:Yes

SCORE100%

Financial Statements:No

SCORE0%

Records Retention Policy:Yes

SCORE100%

Tax Form Disclosed on Website:Yes

SCORE100%

Accountability Panel
Score	Metric
100%	Website Reported on Tax Form:Yes Disclosing the charity’s website promotes transparency and provides access to the public. Source: Public data from IRS Form 990. Fiscal Year 2025.
100%	No Material Diversion of Assets:Yes
0%	Financial Statements:No
100%	Records Retention Policy:Yes
100%	Tax Form Disclosed on Website:Yes

Science behind the numbers

Nonprofit Resources

Nonprofit Resources

Food at First

Mission

Vision

Goals

Food at First

Mission

Vision

Goals

Beacon Report