Serve Others

Our faith calls us to make a difference in the world. We believe one of the ways to do that is through acts of service.

Service allows us to help meet the basic needs of our people in our community.

Justice compels us to ask deeper questions about the needs of our community and address the systemic injustices that cause them, like asking “why are people in our community hungry to begin with?” Check out some of the ways we tackle that work at our “Do Justice” page.

Both are necessary to live out our call to follow Jesus.

Here are some ways you can join in with our local service opportunities. We share additional opportunities periodically at our “What’s Happening” page, or in CW Current, our weekly e-newsletter. (Sign up using this link!)

Food at first
Food at First

Collegiate Wesley serves dinner every 4th (and 5th)
Friday of the month at Food at First.

WHOLE CHURCH

Food at First

Food at First volunteer opportunity

We have the opportunity to prepare and serve the daily meal for Food at First on the fourth and fifth Friday of every month. There are two shift opportunities: 3:00–5:30 pm and/or 5:30–7:30 pm. Early shift volunteers work together on prepping and preparing the meal for the service. Second shift volunteers help serve the meal and clean up the facility following the meal.

This is a great opportunity to build community, have fun, and serve others. To learn more, email Lauren Loonsfoot at laurenc@cwames.org.

Food at First is located at First Christian Church, 611 Clark Ave, Ames, IA 50010. When you go through the double doors and head downstairs.

Thank you for volunteering your time and sharing your love with the community.

Clothing that works
Clothing That Works

Clothing That Works is a clothing closet run by Collegiate United Methodist Church for adults who need clothing because money is limited. Everything is completely free!

Clothing That Works

CTW is a free clothing closet for adults—men and women—who need clothing. It’s located in our Annex building, at 130 S. Sheldon, Suite 301 in Ames. There’s plenty of parking on the north side of the building, and you can enter through the north door. You will need to climb a couple of flights of stairs or, if you need assistance, reach out ahead of time at clothingthatworks@gmail.com so that our volunteers can be ready to watch for you and assist from the ground level.

Clothing That Works is open Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm and the first Saturday of each month 9:00 am-noon—except for the rare times when one of those days intersects with holidays or bad weather. You can keep up to date with any schedule changes or additional announcements on their Facebook page: Clothing That Works on Facebook .

We are grateful for the many donations that come from residents of Ames and beyond. Donated items should be clean and wearable. All sizes are needed. If items are stained, torn, or carry pet or other odors, we will recycle them. We appreciate donations of NEW underwear. If you’d prefer to make a monetary donation, you can do that through Collegiate/Wesley’s “Give” page. Click on the “Missions” tab and then include “Clothing That Works” in the notes space provided. If you’d prefer to send a check, you can make it payable to Collegiate/Wesley with “Clothing That Works” in the memo line, and mail or deliver it to us at 2622 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014.

Interested in volunteering? We’d love to hear from you! We have a lovely core of helpers that sort and organize clothing, assist our customers, and occasionally purchase items we need to have available.

Clothing That Works is a mission of Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation.

Clothing That Works clothing closet Clothing That Works volunteers
Little Food Pantry
Little Food Pantry

Please bring your donations directly to the Little Food Pantry, located outside the north door of the Annex or to the collection box inside the west door of the church.

Little Food Pantry

The Collegiate Wesley Little Free Pantry is located at the Annex 130 South Sheldon. Please come and take what you need anytime!

Thank you to all who have contributed non-perishable items and monetary donations to the Little Food Pantry. Because of you we have been able to continue providing food and personal items to those who need them most. Items are needed to keep the Pantry supplied every day.

Little Food Pantry volunteers

This group of dedicated volunteers keeps the Little Food Pantry filled with food and personal items.

Current needs:

  • Peanut butter
  • Canned vegetables and fruits
  • Soap
  • Pasta
  • Individual meals
  • Soap, shampoo, & toothpaste

Please remember that all donations need to be UNopened and NONperishable.

Bring your other donations directly to the Little Food Pantry, located outside the north door of the Annex or to the box inside the west door of the church. If you’d like to make a financial donation, please click here and be sure to say Little Food Pantry in the “Notes” section.

Thank you so much!

See How You Can Get Involved

MORE OPPORTUNITIES