Assistance from Embrace Iowa

A program in Iowa is providing relief to unemployed and underemployed families, as well as low to moderate income people in Iowa. Embrace Iowa is an assistance program that is offered by the The Des Moines Register and it is funded by contributions from a wide variety of sources. The assistance program provides cash grants to households that are experiencing an emergency or hardship and that need some type of short term financial help. It runs year round, and hundreds of families and individuals across Iowa benefit from it each year.

The Des Moines Register partners with the Iowa Community Action Association. The local, non-profit community action agencies distribute the funds to participants. In addition, Wells Fargo also contributes by donating the processing and banking needs for the Embrace Iowa program.

This year, most of the requests for assistance are for car repairs, rent,  beds, appliances and even mortgage payments. There has been about a 20 percent increase in the number of families who are asking for assistance this year according to the Iowa Community Action Association.

Some other examples of non-routine emergency expenses that are being requested include:

• Medical bills, dental expenses, and other health care costs
• Prescription medications
• Automobile repairs
• Home repairs
• Energy saving home improvements
• Funds for helping to pay Child Care for those families that are not currently covered under the Iowa Crisis Child Care Program
• Money to pay for heating emergencies

the program also accepts donations from local businesses and residents, as there is a tremendous need for help in today’s weak economy.

If you are interested in applying for Embrace Iowa, or leaning more, please contact your local community action agency.