Emergency Assistance

Veterans Pantry

If you are looking for ways to help Veterans in your area, please consider donating food or hygiene items to our pantry. You can find updated requests for donations on our Facebook page. We are also always on the lookout for lightly used coats that we can give out to Veterans in need in the local area. Please help out if you can. 

Eligibility for Emergency Assistance Requires:

• Be a Wartime Veteran with an Honorable Discharge (DD-214) between the following dates of service:
  • WWI
    • 4/6/1917 – 11/11/1918
  • Occupation Germany
    • 11/12/1918 – 7/11/23
  • Siberia
    • 11/12/1918 – 4/30/1920
  • Haitian Suppression
    • 1919 – 1920
  • Nicaragua (Marines & Navy)
    • 1926 – 1933
  • Yangtze/Shanghai (Marines & Navy)
    • 1926 – 1927 & 1930 – 1932
  • China (Marines & Navy)
    • 1937 – 1939
  • WWII
    • 12/07/1941 – 12/31/1946
  • Korea
    • 6/25/1950 – 1/31/1955
  • Vietnam
    • 2/28/1961 – 5/7/1975
  • Lebanon/Granada
    • 8/24/1982 – 7/31/1984
  • Panama
    • 12/20/1989 – 1/31/1990
  • Persian Gulf
    • 8/2/1990 – No End Date Set
  • Former members of the Reserve Forces or Iowa National Guard who served at least 20 years after 1/28/1973
  • Former member of the Reserve Forces or Iowa National Guard who completed or was activated for active duty for a period of 90 days of federal service other then training
  • Former member of the Merchant Marines serving during WWII
  • Former members of the Women’s Air Force service pilots, and other persons who have been conferred as Veterans based on their civilian duties during WWII
• Be a widow or minor child of a wartime veteran honorably discharged between the prior list of dates
• Be a resident of Pottawattamie County
• Meet certain income guidelines
• Repayment Agreement will be required
• Apply for any other benefits available within the following:
  • Fuel Assistance @ West Central Development
    • (712) 322-2621
  • FIP at DHS (if minor child in the home)
    • (712) 322-5661
  • Food Stamps
    • (712) 328-5661
  • Iowa Job Service (if unemployed)
    • (712) 242-2100
  • Apply for SSI/SSD (if disabled)
    • (712) 388-8529 or 1-800-772-1213
  • Vocational Rehabilitation (if disabled)
    • (712) 322-3821
  • State Emergency Assistance (if a minor child lives in the home)
    • (712) 328-5661