United Way of Central Iowa Blog

At the LIVE UNITED celebration on April 24, 2019, United Way of Central Iowa announced progress toward the community’s Goals for 2020 in Education, Income, and Health with the release of its 2019 Community Impact Report. The event also honored Athene

Poverty seems like an impossible problem to solve. Many barriers prevent individuals from achieving financial stability, and the solutions seem just as puzzling. 

Yet, there is something we all can do. It starts by asking this one question: How can...

Central Iowans are among the worst in the nation for consuming fruits and vegetables. According to the Gallup-Sharecare Well-being Index, Des Moines is ranked 185 out of 186 communities for consuming fruits and vegetables.

Only half of Iowans...

One in three central Iowans doesn't earn enough to cover basic expenses without support. Many struggle to find enough food to eat or a place to sleep at night, while others manage by piecing together jobs and support. Yet, they are one flat tire or...

The U.S. Census focuses on federal poverty at 100% - a point where 11.1% of central Iowans cannot afford food, housing, and other basic needs. Above that level, however, 22.9% of individuals in Warren, Dallas, and Polk Counties cannot afford...

You can bring a box of hope to a family in need this holiday season.

Through our Hope for the Holidays food drive, United Way of Central Iowa is collecting food, cleaning items, and gift cards for 40 families in need at our funded programs. 

First...

Finding affordable housing is a barrier for many central Iowans working toward achieving financial stability. As a result, many low-income residents are spending most of their income on rent and forgoing many essential needs, such as food and...

For the past 16 months, a diverse group of central Iowans have rallied their support around the OpportUNITY initiative. Their audacious goal is to elevate 20,000 central Iowans out of poverty. Poverty is a niche game; for the hundreds of people...