The city of Ames is a medium sized college town just 30 minutes north of Iowa’s largest metropolitan area, Des Moines. The following are community resources both on campus and in the community of Ames, and the surrounding Central Iowa area.
ISU has several affinity groups right on campus, which are called Faculty and Staff Associations (“FSAs”).
American Indian Faculty and Staff Council
This FSA does not have a Facebook group and does not appear to have regularly scheduled events on the Diversity and Inclusion webpage.
Website: https://www.diversity.iastate.edu/faculty-staff-associations
Asian American and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association
The Asian American and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association supports Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander faculty and staff by sustaining a visible and supportive AAPI community, engaging in professional and social networking, and supporting leadership and career development and advancement.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1667622446785032/
Website: https://www.diversity.iastate.edu/faculty-staff-associations
Black Faculty and Staff Association
The goal of the Black Faculty and Staff Association is to build community and highlight resources that enhance the personal and professional development of Black faculty and staff.
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/IsuBlackFacultyStaffAssociation
Website: https://www.diversity.iastate.edu/faculty-staff-associations
Colegas, Building Community
Colegas is ISU’s Hispanic and Latinx Faculty and Staff Association. Although this affinity group has a website on the Diversity and Inclusion webpage, it uses a Facebook page for most of its activities.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IowaStateUniversityColegas.
Website: https://www.diversity.iastate.edu/faculty-staff-associations
Jewish Faculty and Staff Association
The goals of the Jewish Faculty and Staff Association include the creation of a welcoming environment for faculty and staff, strengthening the campus Jewish community, and providing a venue to discuss issues relevant to the community and its allies.
Website: https://www.diversity.iastate.edu/faculty-staff-associations
LGBTQA+ Faculty and Staff Association
The LGBTQA+ Faculty & Staff Association was created for Iowa State University faculty and staff who are members or who are supportive of the LGBTQ+ community at ISU. The FSA exists to provide its members with opportunities for networking, career development, socializing, and becoming a bigger part of the ISU/Ames community.
Website: https://www.diversity.iastate.edu/faculty-staff-associations
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ISULGBTQAFSA
There are several religious organizations and places of worship listed below that are in and around Ames, Iowa.
Atheism, Agnosticism, Secularism
Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers – Sam and Louie’s Pizza, 8561 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA
Although this is not a religious group, it is one which weighs in on existential questions and spirituality. It meets at Sam and Louie’s pizza every Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Phone: (515) 770-8541
Email: president@iowaatheists.org
Websites:
https://twitter.com/Iowa_Atheists
AHA! (Atheists, Humanists, Agnostics) - Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames – 1015 Hyland Avenue, Ames, IA
This is a group that gathers at the church each third Thursday evening of the month to discuss life and theology outside of the framework of God.
Phone: (515) 292-5960
Email: aha@uufames.org
Buddhism
The Angor Wat Friendship Association – 1301 19th St, Des Moines, Iowa, 50314
This Association was established to promote the Khmer (Cambodian) culture, language and art. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Email: angkorwatdsm@gmail.com
Phone: (515) 897 – 2151, (515) 247-0189 (Sareap Noeuy)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Angkor-Wat-Friendship-Association-Inc-359523871075030/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cambodian-Buddhist-Society/112009918861509
Chua Hong An – 1419 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Des Moines, IA 50314
This temple is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Specific events and weekly events are not listed on the website.
Phone: (515) 288-6944
Buddhism Discussion Group - Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames – 1015 Hyland Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
This group meets through shared readings, discussion and exploration of teams and concepts. There is not a regular meeting time listed in the activity guide.
Phone: (515) 292-5960
Email: buddhism@uufames.org
Pure Land of Iowa – 8364 Hickman Road, Clive, IA 50325
This group emphasizes pure land Buddhism, but it allows other Buddhist groups to use its facilities. The group meets every Sunday morning for two hours from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a one-hour potluck afterward until 12:00 p.m. There is two-hour Buddhism study on week days from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (515) 991-4347
Website: https://www.purelandofiowa.org/
Email: admin@purelandofiowa.com, helenchenliu@gmail.com
The Des Moines Zen Center - 6901 SW 14th, Des Moines, IA 50315
The Zen Center introduces visitors and students to Zen Buddhism on the third Thursday of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Each Sunday the Zen Center conducts zazen from 7:10 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. They provide childcare and snacks for children during the zazen session.
Website: http://dmzencenter.org/contact-us/
Email: iowatoy2005@yahoo.com, info@dmzencenter.com
Tu Viện Hồng Đức – 5906 S.W. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315
This is Vietnamese Buddhist temple has weekly services from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. every Sunday.
Phone: (515) 256 – 8176
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pg/TVHD2009/about/?ref=page_internal
Email: TuVienHongDuc@yahoo.com
Wat Phothisomphan – 2560 SE 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50320
This Buddhist temple meets weekly for dharma talks and chanting meditation and hosts monthly events.
Phone: (515) 619 – 9222 / (515) 777 – 4348
Website: http://facebook.com/WatPhothisomphan
Email: Kate919@gmail.com
Wat Lao - 1804 E. Park Ave, Des Moines, IA 50320
This Buddhist temple is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mondays through Sunday.
Phone: (515) 282 – 1801
Website: http://www.dsmwatlao.org/buddhism
Email: Donechanh@hotmail.com
Baha’i
There are two Baha’i communities in West Des Moines and Des Moines. In West Des Moines, Alan Prosser1organizes a Baha’i community. In Des Moines, Claudia Murphy2 organizes a Baha’i community.
Hinduism
Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Iowa – 33916, 155th Lane, Madrid, Iowa, 50156
This Hindu temple performs weddings and services related to several deities. Different services are listed on the website.
Phone: 515-795-2635
Website: http://www.iowatemple.org/
Email: admin@htcciowa.org
Hindu Cultural and Educational Center – 2513 E. Porter Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50320
This is a group which meets in a home. It provides language training in English and Nepali. It also provides citizenship classes. The Hindu calendar observes religious events.
Phone: (515) 505-5538
Website: http://www.hcec-iowa.org/contact-us/
Email: contactus@hoec-iowa.org
Islam
Bosniak Islamic and Cultural Center - 17630 Bosniak lane, Granger, Iowa 50109
This was the original Bosnian Islamic center formerly located at 3805 Beaver Road in Des Moines, Iowa. It provides daily prayer services five times a day each day. It has a community service (Jumu’ah) on Fridays at 1:30.
Phone: (515) 279 – 8374
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ICCBDesMoines/
Darul Arqum Islamic Center - 1212 Iowa Ave, Ames, IA 50014
This organization holds scheduled events throughout the year. The five times of prayer are posted on their website.
Phone: (515) 292-3683
Website:http://www.arqum.org/
Islamic and Education Center Ezan – 6206 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines IA 50322
This Bosnian Islamic center provides daily prayer services five times a day. Community service (Jumu’ah) is on Fridays at 1:30.
Phone: (515) 441-2114
Email: nijaz_va@hotmail.com, Nijaz ef. Valjevcic
Masjid an-Noor – 1117 42nd Street, Des Moines, IA 50311
This organization provides daily prayers and services.
Phone: (515) 274 – 4626
Website: http://dmmco.org/index.php
Email: information@dmmco.org
Shafia Islamic and Cultural Centre – 1425 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314
This is an offshoot from the Muslim Community Organization that practices Sufism. It provides a space of prayer and celebration of specific events like Ramadan.
Phone: (515) 724-8308
Email: jamal7621@hotmail.com (Imam Ahmed Moalim), xusseem@hotmail.com (Imam Hussein Abdi)
Judaism
Ames Jewish Congregation – 3721 Calhoun Ave, Ames, IA 50010
Shabbat services take place at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays. These services are led by Rabbi Nina Mizrahi once per month. The remaining services are conducted by congregation members.
Phone: (515) 233-1347
Email: https://www.ajciowa.org/
Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines – 33158 Ute Ave. Waukee, IA 50263
This organization is a good place to explore non-sectarian Jewish events occurring in the surrounding area. The Federation operates a non-sectarian preschool, Gan Shalom Preschool, a retreat and recreation center, Caspe Terrace, and the Iowa Jewish Historical Society.
Website: https://www.jewishdesmoines.org/
Phone: (515) 987-0899
Email: info@jewishdesmoines.org
CHABAD of Ames/ISU – 301 4th Street Suite #12, Ames, Iowa 50010
This group is situated on campus. Events are organized throughout the year. In particular, a Seder occurs on campus each year and they also hand out Passover care packages to students.
Phone: 515-339-9160
Email: Chabadames.isu@outlook.com
Temple B’Nai Jeshurun (Reform Judaism) – 5101 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
Erev Shabbat services generally start at 6:00 p.m. on Friday night and 10:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings. There is a social time with wine and snacks that precedes each service time. The Friday service social time begins at 5:30 p.m. The Saturday service social time begins at 9:00 a.m. Traditional Torah study occurs every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Phone: (515) 274-4679
Website: https://templebnaijeshurun.org/
Tifereth Israel Synagogue (Conservative Judaism) – 924 Polk Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50312
Erev Shabbat services generally start at 6:00 p.m. on Friday night and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings. The Saturday morning service is followed by Shabat Café at 11:45 a.m. A discussion of the Hebrew Bible occurs every Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Phone: (515) 255-1137
Website: http://tifereth.org/
Meditation
Meditation Sitting Group - Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames – 1015 Hyland Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
This group meets Tuesday nights for 40 minutes of silent meditation.
Phone: (515) 292-5960
Email: meditationsitting@uufames.org
Mindfulness and Meditation - Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames – 1015 Hyland Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
This group meets Sunday nights from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Phone: (515) 292-5960
Email: mindfulness@uufames.org
Mormonism
The Church of Latter-Day Saints Ames Institute of Religion – 137 Lynn Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
This building provides religious education for young single adults from ages 18 to 30 years old.
Phone: (515) 292-2759
Website:https://www.facebook.com/AmesInstituteoftheChurchofJesusChrist/?rf=158097977728541
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – 2524 Hoover Avenue, Ames, IA 50010
This is the regular congregation building for Mormonism in Ames, Iowa.
Phone: (515) 232-0437
Website: https://www.facebook.com/The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints-Ames-IA-279517908796734/
Sikhism
The Iowa Sikh Association – 1115 Walnut Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265
This is a non-profit organization. It holds congregation and prayers from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each Sunday. Immediately following congregation is a community meal from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Website: http://iowasikhassociation.org/contact-us/
Telephone number: (515) 255-5755
Email: contact@iowasikhassociation.org
Sikhs of Iowa Khalsa Heritage, Inc. – 4820 NW 59th Street Johnston, IA 501301
It holds congregation and prayers from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each Sunday. Immediately following congregation is a community meal from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Phone: (515) 259-6613
Email: iowasikhs@sikhinc.org
Wiccan / Pagan
Persephone’s Children – Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames – 1015 Hyland Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
This group meets every third Thursday of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames church.
Phone: (515) 292 - 5960
Email: personnel@uufames.org
Sacred Bridges – First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
This group meets at the location above. They organize primarily through their Facebook page.
Phone: (515) 244 - 8603
Website: www.facebook.com/sacredbridgescuups
Email: sacredbridgescuups@gmail.com
The following includes a list of restaurants in Ames and the Des Moines metropolitan area serving a variety of options.
African
Patience’s African Cuisine – 3811 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
Phone: (515) 279 – 6158
Safari Cuisine – 217 South Duff Avenue, Ames, IA 50010
Somali Restaurant – 4940 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
Taste of Africa – 2500 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Suite 3, Des Moines, IA
Brazilian
Café Beaudelaire – 2504 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014
Phone: (515) 292 – 7429
Website: www.cafebeaudelaire.com
Chinese
House of Chen – 705 East Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50010
Phone: (515) 233 - 3144
Le’s Chinese Bar-B-Que – 1600 2nd Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314
Szechuan House – 3605 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014
Phone: (515) 292 - 7888
Website: http://www.szechuanhouseames.com/
Little Taipei – 2514 Chamberlain Street, Ames, IA
Phone: (515) 292 – 6123
Website: https://www.ameslittletaipei.com/contact
Wok N Roll – 120 Welch Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
Phone: (515) 292-6688
888 Restaurant Chinese Food - 809 Wheeler Street, Suite 106, Ames, IA 50010
Phone: (515) 232 – 3366
Website: http://888restaurantames.com/
Central / South American
Botanero Latino Colombian & International Cuisine – 604 East Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50010
Los Altos Mexican Restaurant – 823 Wheeler Street, Suite 5, Ames, IA 50010
Mi Casita Restaurant – 1115 6th Street Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-2444
Puerto Rico Restaurant – 6611 University Avenue, Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324
Phone: (515) 274 – 1690
Rico’s Tacos – 624 East Lincoln Way, Ames IA 50010
Tacos La Michoacana – 403 Broad Street, Story City, Iowa 50248
Indian
India Palace – 120 Hayward Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
Phone: (515) 715 - 1060
Website: http://www.indiapalaceames.com/
India Delights – 127 Dotson Drive, Ames, IA 50014
Phone: (515) 292-3419
Kathmandu Restaurant – 4121 SE 14th Street Des Moines, IA, 50320
Phone: (515) 207 – 1463
Website: http://kathmanduiowa.com/
Namaste India – Indian Cuisine and Restaurant – 7500 University Ave # A Clive IA 50325
Phone: (515) 255 - 1698
Eastern European
Phoenix Café – 6769 Hickman Rd. Des Moines, IA 50322
Phone: (515) 331 - 4342
Middle Eastern
Pammel Grocery and Deli – 113 Colorado Avenue, Suite 133, Ames, IA 50014-3499
Peruvian
Panka Peruvian Restaurant – 2708 Ingersoll Avenue, Suite 200, Des Moines, IA 50312
Phone: (515) 244 – 1430
Website: Pankadsm.com
Thai
The Spice Thai Cuisine – 402 Main Street, Ames, IA 50010
Website: Thespiceames.com
Phone: (515) 232 - 0200
Vietnamese
A Dong Restaurant – 1511 High Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Le’s Restaurant – 113 Colorado Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
Phone: (515) 292-0002
Website: https://www.lesrestaurantames.com/menu
Pho 85 – 1705 SE Delaware Avenue, Ankeny, IA 50021
Phone: (515) 964-2388
Pho 888 – 1521 2nd Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314
Phone: (515) 288 – 1595
Pho Saigon – 1452 2nd Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314
Pho All Seasons – 1311 E. Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50316
Specialty Food Stores
African
Ahlan Grocery African Food Stores – 3826 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
Phone: (515) 279 – 5451
A & J African Food Store – 519 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313
Phone: (515) 661 – 0727
All African’s Market – 511 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313
Phone: (515) 243 - 0868
Malachi African Food Market – 3009 Merle Hay Rd. Suite 3, Des Moines, IA 50310
Phone: (515) 278 – 5603
Asian
Ames Asia Market – 819 Wheeler Street Suite 5, Ames, IA 50010
Asia Food Store – 516 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50010
C Fresh Market – 801 University Avenue Des Moines, IA 50314
Phone: (515) 288 - 0525
Double Dragon Food Market – 1537 2nd Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314
Eastern Europe
Bosna Grocery – 3009 Merle Hay Rd. #4 Des Moines, IA, 50310
This grocery store stocks food from Italy, Germany, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and other Eastern European countries.
Phone: (515) 207 – 1163
Middle Eastern
Pammel Grocery and Deli – 113 Colorado Avenue, Suite 133, Ames, IA 50014-3499
Connecting Central Iowa Women – 2713 Beverly Drive, Urbandale, IA 50322
This group organizes social activities for lesbians and other women around the Des Moines area metropolitan area.
Website: https://www.iowawcc.com/about-wcc-connecting
The First Friday Breakfast Club – Hoyt Sherman Place – 1501 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
This LGBTQ+ group meets monthly at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast at Hoyt Sherman place.
Phone: (515) 288 -2500 (Jonathan Wilson)
Email: info@ffbciowa.org
The Pride Center of Des Moines – 1620 Pleasant Street, Suite 244, Des Moines, IA 50314
This group puts on events in Des Moines throughout the year.
Website: http://www.dsmpridecenter.org/
Phone: (515) 277 – 7884
Email: info@dsmpridecenter.org
Pride Sports League of Central Iowa - P. O. Box 146, Des Moines, IA 50301
This group organizes recreational and intramural events to the LGBTA community in the Des Moines metro area.
Website: http://www.pridesportsleague.org/pages/about
Email: Info@pridesportsleague.org
Prime Timers Central Iowa – Steven Therrien – 2238 SW 35th Street, Ankeny, IA 50023
This group supports older gay and bisexual men.
Email: joshortom@yahoo.com, stherrien@mchsi.com
Transformations Iowa
This is a support group for non-binary and transgender individuals. Meeting locations may have changed since this has been created, please direct message the Facebook page or send an email to the organizer for updated meeting information.
Email addresses: sophia.transformations@gmail.com, TransformationsIOWA@yahoo.com
Website: www.facebook.com/transformationsiowa
Phone: (515) 779-5187
Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus
This group performs choir events three times a year.
Website: http://www.dmgmc.org/
Phone: (515) 953-1540
LGBTQ+ Bars
The Blazing Saddle – 416 E. 5th Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
Phone: (515) 246 – 1299
Buddy’s Corral – 418 E. 5th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 244 – 7140
The Garden Nightclub – 112 SE 4th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 243-3965