We care for us: Iowa places to support as another Trump presidency looms

We care for us: That’s the message we want Iowans to carry with them in the immediate aftermath of the election, instead of despair.

Starting Line social media manager Avery Staker has begun this list of community resources so Iowans can support each other. It includes LGBTQ+ groups, community fridges and food pantries, mutual aid funds, health advocates, and more, all of whom could use caring folks to donate their time or money.

We’re going to be updating this list in the coming days and weeks. Please share your favorite organization by emailing info@new.iowastartingline.com.

DES MOINES

• Common Love: free clothing pop-ups and LGBTQ+ resources
  • Instagram
  • Facebook 
• Des Moines Black Liberation Movement
  • Instagram
  • Facebook 
• Des Moines Mutual Aid
• Des Moines People’s Town Hall: local issue advocacy and city council accountability
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • X
• Des Moines Public Library
• Des Moines Refugee Support
• Fair Air Network: COVID resources and health advocacy
  • Instagram
  • X
• Fill the Fridge Iowa
  • Map of Des Moines area community fridges
  • Community fridge etiquette
  • Instagram
• Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition
• Prairielands Freedom Fund
• The Supply Hive
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
• The Woodland Realm: community garden
• Queer Youth Resource Center
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

DUBUQUE

• Dubuque LGBTQ+ Resource Network
  • Facebook

WATERLOO/CEDAR FALLS

• Cedar Valley LGBTQ+ Coalition

SIOUXLAND

• Siouxland Food Bank 
• Great Plains Action Society 
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

IOWA CITY/CEDAR RAPIDS

• CommUnity Crisis Services
• Domestic Violence Intervention Program: trained health advocates and victim advocacy
• Emma Goldman Clinic: not-for-profit reproductive health care clinic
• Iowa City Community Fridge
• LGBTQ Iowa Archives & Library: hosts “Transistors,” a support group for trans and nonbinary adults
• Public Space One: community arts center, houses the LGBTQ Archives and the Center for Afrofuturist Studies
• Shelter House: advocacy and support for houseless folks
• Table to Table: collect and redistributes surplus food
• Transformation Cedar Rapids: trans and nonbinary support group
• United Action for Youth

AMES

• Ames Public Library
• Pride Ames
• Reliable Street: community arts and resources

CENTRAL IOWA

• Eat Greater Des Moines
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
• Iowa Gardening for Good
• Food Bank of Iowa

SOUTHEAST IOWA

• Golden Magnolia Sanctuary: rural resilience hub and community kitchen
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

STATEWIDE

• Black Iowa Business Directory
• Iowa Abortion Access Fund
• Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice
• Iowa Mutual Aid Network
• Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund
• Lavender Legal Center
• Lesbians of Iowa
  • For A Time Such As This queer resource map and form to add your service to the map
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
• Lutheran Services of Iowa Global Greens
• OneIowa & OneIowa Action

INSPIRATION

• Seeding Sovereignty
• The Trevor Project

A special thanks to the readers who contribute to this article—that is the essence of community organizing!