Hunger is an ongoing issue in Iowa. This effort is well worth donating your time and support…read moretowards. I spent a morning volunteering with a number of my coworkers. The work at hand can vary from day-to-day, and we didn't know what to anticipate when we arrived for our shift. While there was much to be done (repackaging restaurant-sized packages into family-friendly amounts) the task was well-planned and the process(es) to do the work made easy. Safe handling of the product was (as it should be) a primary focus. I will definitely plan on giving more of my time to help the Food Bank of Iowa on its important mission.

I went into Labyrinth Coffee with some friends and I would have never known about its existence…read moreuntil today. The location is sort of hidden in the church that its in, but when you go in, you wouldn't have expected a cafe inside. The place had nice natural lighting and there were a lot of wall plants everywhere. There was a lot of seating and some creative ones such as having church pews at a table. We went in the morning and it was not at all busy. A lot of campus students usually come in and order takeout from what I've seen. The coffee options were great and the price is comparable to Morning Bell in Ames Town. They have a system of using reusable cups and an option for if you buy their reusable cup, you can get discounted coffee. What a great deal! The service was good and the coffee was quick. they made latte art in our coffee and I always appreciate that. I got a honey latte and the sweetness ratio was perfect, and the drink itself was smooth. Overall, come check this place out if you ever get the chance to.

The coffee shop is in the basement of a church. When you walk in it smells like an old grandma…read morehouse. Bleach mixed with moth balls comes to mind. The over the top pride signs is a bit much and really takes away from the atmosphere. The coffee was very mediocre and the smoothies were meh.

Ames "shelter" SUCKS!  SUCKS!  SUCKS!…read more Unfortunately, there is no NEGATIVE zillion stars to be posted that the "shelter" has more than earned.  For myself and the 100s of victims of the "shelter" without a home. "the bridge".  What an ABSURD name! Notice there are a lot of reviews about "the bridge" that do NOT come from homeless PEOPLE!  A lot of those reviews come from people that get help for their utility bill.  The "shelter" gave the girl that replaced me an $88 utility check right in front of me. For sure the friends of the shelter employees wrote some of the reviews!   There are 100s of PEOPLE in Ames without a home stuck in a SURVIVAL TEST for months and years because the "shelter" SUCKS that do no have time to write reviews about the EVIL "shelter" CAUSED largely by the absurd "shelter" that still hold hope that the "shelter" leaders will get a HEART and help them in the future  (their odds are better buying a lottery ticket)! Well over 90% of the PEOPLE without a home do NOT get the needed help from the "shelter" nor anywhere else.   The new building manager of my 12 year home AND Linda ("shelter") and Troy ("shelter") STOLE my home of a a dozen years.  And Troy and Linda are responsible for the 21 month SURVIVAL TEST they inflicted on me that should have NEVER happened.  The transition should have never gone over a month!  They promised their help and instead puked on me for 21 months!  It is criminal! Had HUD since 2006.  Spent about 10 hours in January and February of 2019 talking to Snake Linda and Troy at the "shelter".  I NEVER would have moved out of my home of 12 years had I known at the time Snake Linda and Troy were lying to me about helping me transition to a new HUD apartment.  Snake Linda and Troy puked all over me for 21 months.  And it started right away.  Snake Linda and Troy told me in late Feb 2019 let us know when you and the landlord agree on a move out date.  Told Snake Linda and Troy a week in advance.  Got everything moved in to storage.  Showed up at the shelter about 4 pm that day in the middle of the winter only to find out that the "shelter" did not have a spot for me.  They are so EVIL! Linda and Troy at the "shelter" were OK with me nearly losing my life numerous times via their 21 month SURVIVAL test.  And Tara at the "shelter" was OK with me being threatened with a knife.  Clearly they do not have hearts! ****  100s of PEOPLE ARE VICTIMS of the "shelter" without a HOME for months and years stuck in a SURVIVAL TEST because the "shelter" SUCKS  and Jodi in charge at the "shelter" claimed numerous times that "the shelter is a business" while owning a roughly $20,000 vehicle.  It is so wrong!  **** The "shelter" checks that little box that says we are helping someone without a home to collect donation money and then most all of the time the "shelter" does little to nothing to help that person get back on their feet again. The "shelter" does not want homeless PEOPLE out of the rough (golf analolgy) obviously. For their business. The "shelter" hurts a lot of innocent PEOPLE! The whole system (lack there of) in Ames for PEOPLE without a home is broken aside from The good work being done at The Romero House. Iowa State and DMAC should offer classes in psychology and to earn credits via practicums, field experiences etc on how to help PEOPLE without a home get back on their feet again. Sell the Shelter.  Expand The Romero House! **  Cots should be at Food at First!  ** A system needs to be put in place to get PEOPLE without a home back on their feet.  When the Shelter SUCKS it hurts a lot of PEOPLE! The "shelter" SUCKS!  ..............  The Ames "shelter" SUCKS for 100s of PEOPLE! Ames has a HUGE HUGE HUGE homeless problem that needs to be solved!  Every homeless person has told me The Romero House is awesome.  Government sucks at shelters.  Churches do shelters right.  Heart factor. **  Please reference my review for Salvation Army.  ** If you want to help PEOPLE without a home in Ames do NOT donate to that EVIL "shelter".  Donate to The Romero House! Jesus is the way!

Awesome home remodelling resale store. Lots of parts, tools, furniture and hardware and always a…read morefew random gems to be found. Hours have improved (finally open past 2pm, they are open until 7pm on Thursday now - hurrah!). Great way to save some money while supporting Habitat for Humanity!