CRISIS ASSISTANCE & FOOD PANTRIES
FEELING OVERWHELMED TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET?
NEICAC operates a Crisis Assistance Program to assist eligible individuals and families with limited resources in need of help with:
- Past due or disconnected utilities
- Past due rent or mortgage
- Emergency medical and/or dental services
- Costs to engage in Mental Health services
- Costs to maintain or gain internet or phone access
- Transportation
- Vehicle Repairs
- Swim lessons, seasonal swim passes, costs associated with participation in extracurricular activities
Eligibility for our Crisis Assistance program and Food Pantries require household income verification. Current eligibility guidelines are set at 200% or below of the Federal Poverty Level. Click here to review the current Federal Poverty Guideline income table.
**While some costs may be covered under Federal funding sources, our Crisis Assistance program is largely funded by grants and donations. All Assistance identified above is dependent on available funding.

IS YOUR FOOD BUDGET TIGHT?
We manage several food pantries, in partnership with the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, making food and personal products available to area residents.
117 West Bremer Avenue in Waverly (319-352-4532)
204 2nd Avenue East in Cresco (563-547-4413)
305 Montgomery Street in Decorah (563-387-4958)
**This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Click here to learn more.
Food Storage and Consumption Safety
Do you know how long the meat in your freezer or canned goods in your pantry are good for? The various use of dates on packaged food items can cause confusion. Below are several reputable sources to guide practices related to food storage and consumption. Access these resources to learn more about guidelines for freezer storage and date descriptions used on food labels.

FIND WHAT YOU’RE
LOOKING FOR?
Start a chat in the window on the bottom-right-corner of the screen and we’ll provide assistance based on determined eligibility.
Chat monitored hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm. If you are trying to reach an agent outside of those hours, a case will be created, and we will reach out during our next available business hours.
If you haven’t received services through NEICAC since October 1st, please start by completing this online questionnaire.
LOOKING FOR
SOMETHING ELSE?
Visit the General Assistance page to learn about the burial assistance available to eligible households with low-income through the County General Assistance programs we operate.
HEAD START & EARLY HEAD START
Visit the Head Start & Early Head Start page to learn about early childhood home visiting and free pre-schoool opportunities through NEICAC.
SET ON VISITING US IN PERSON?
Our Family Services Specialists wish to provide their undivided attention and confidential services to all who are applying for assistance or in need of food through our pantries. To support us in doing so, please schedule an appointment through our online booking engine here. Online scheduling is a simple and secure way to avoid the phone’s busy signal or being turned away upon arrival to an office without an available appointment.
