20 YEARS STRONG

For two decades, we've stood together with our neighbors, ensuring families have food to eat, clothes to wear, access to health care, and help with finding a way forward. This milestone isn't just about the years — it's about every hand that has helped, every heart that has cared, and every story that has shaped our journey. From our earliest days as a single room with food, to what is now a central hub for food and wraparound services, you've shown up. You've packed food boxes, stocked shelves, donated necessities, given generously, and shared our mission with others.

Thank you for the first 20 years of service, compassion, and community. Let's make the next 20 even stronger — together.

20th Small Circle

20 Things In 20 Years - Building Hope Together

#1 - 2005

Waukee Area Christian Food Pantry Opened
Eight churches united to open the Waukee Area Christian Food Pantry.  Groceries were pre-packaged and provided to visitors during the four hours we were open each week.

#2 - 2006

Rescued Food Program Began With Fareway
Among the first to launch a food rescue program, we found a new way to stretch resources and feed more families. Partnering with Fareway Meat and Grocery enabled us to acquire surplus food and deliver it quickly to our neighbors.

#3 - 2009

First Harvest From The Fruitful Vine Garden
The first crop is harvested from our new on-site garden called "The Fruitful Vine."  This garden quickly became a unique resource, offering healthy options grown just outside our doors.  Families have the opportunity to visit the garden each week for a share of fresh produce.

#3 - 2009

First Harvest From The Fruitful Vine Garden
The first crop is harvested from our new on-site garden called "The Fruitful Vine."  This garden quickly became a unique resource, offering healthy options grown just outside our doors.  Families have the opportunity to visit the garden each week for a share of fresh produce.

#4 - 2009

Health Clinic Opened In Partnership With Free Clinics Of Iowa
By establishing a free Health Clinic through our partnership with Free Clinics of Iowa, we laid the groundwork for serving families more comprehensively—shaping the future of how we care for our community. This marked a new chapter in serving the whole person, ensuring families could receive care, regardless of their ability to pay.

#5 - 2011

Joined Food Bank Of Iowa
Teaming up with the Food Bank of Iowa allowed us to multiply our impact.  Our collaboration meant more shelves stocked and more families served with the ability to acquire food at a lower cost than retail.

#6 - 2012

Launched Home Deliveries To Seniors

When visiting the pantry wasn’t possible, our volunteers began delivering food to seniors’ homes, making a real difference in the community.

#7 - 2012

Name Changed To Waukee Area Christian Services

As our services expanded, so did our name:  Waukee Area Christian Food Pantry officially became Waukee Area Christian Services.

#8 - 2014

Christmas Gifts For Kids Began
Building on the work of the Waukee Police Department, our Christmas gift program brought smiles, laughter, and holiday joy to children.  It was and still is important to us that every child feels the joy of the season.  Through Christmas gifts, families experienced generosity and dignity at a time when it matters most. Christmas gifts connect donors and families in a powerful expression of love.

#9 - 2014

Student Weekend Snack Packs Launched

By launching the Student Weekend Snack Packs, we invested not only in food but in education and opportunity.  These snack packs ensure that kids don’t go hungry when school meals are unavailable.  Students who receive weekend food support show up rested, focused, and ready to learn on Mondays.

#10 - 2016

Client Advocacy Introduced

With our Client Advocacy Program, no one has to face hardship alone.  Client advocates listen, guide, and connect families to resources for lasting stability.  Through one-on-one guidance, families find hope, stability, and pathways to thrive.  The launch of our advocacy program deepened our mission to serve the whole person.

#11 - 2017

Joined DMARC As An Affiliate Partner
As an Affiliate Partner with the Des Moines Area Religious Council, we access a centralized intake system that tracks client usage across pantries in the area.  Collaboration elevates hunger's story and our community's response, while families receive consistent support across pantries.

#12 - 2017

Van Acquired Thanks To Stivers And City Of Waukee
A dedicated van meant rescued food could reach our shelves more quickly and efficiently.  This milestone gave us the ability to rescue larger quantities of food and meet more needs in the community.  The van transformed our food rescue program and made transporting large donations easier as well.

#13 - 2021

Anytime Food Room Opened
The rescued food room became a daily resource, supporting families with consistent, dignified access to fresh food in between monthly visits to the Food Pantry.  This "Anytime Food Room" has become our most popular service with an average of 15 visits per hour.

#14 - 2021

60 Food Pantry Clients Served In One Day
In one day, our Food Pantry fed a record-breaking 60 families (10 an hour), reflecting both the growing need and the generosity of our supporters.  This milestone showed how many neighbors could be nourished when the community comes together.

#15 - 2022

Clothing Closet Launched
Building on the strong foundation of the Dallas County Closet, we expanded our services to include a Clothing Closet for students—ensuring children had what they needed to thrive at school and in daily life. Families could now shop for food and clothing in one convenient visit, furthering our commitment to serving the whole person with dignity and care.

#16 - 2023

Garden Harvest Record
A record-breaking 5,738 pounds of fresh produce was harvested from our on-site garden.  This milestone shows how growing our own food improves access and wellness for our clients.  Our garden’s harvest adds variety, nutrition, and freshness to the pantry.

#17 - 2024

17,822 Volunteer Hours Donated
Volunteers contributed a milestone 17,822 hours, strengthening every part of our mission.  Our volunteers represent the heart and soul of our work.  They transform lives and build hope, turning compassion into action across all of our programs.  We could not do what we do without them.

#18 - 2024

576 Food Pantry Households Served In One Month
A milestone showing the growing reach and impact of our programs.  This record month highlighted our ability to respond to growing needs with compassion and efficiency.  It is a testament to the generosity of our volunteers and donors.

#19 - 2025

WayPoint Resources Name Introduced
The name WayPoint Resources captures our role in meeting people where they are and walking alongside them during difficult moments in their lives. It implies a supportive, steadying presence for someone working their way towards stability.  We’re not just about providing for people in the moment.  We’re committed to helping them take the next steps in their journey toward a better, more self-sufficient future.

#20 - 2025

Celebrated 20 Years Together
Because of you - your time, your giving, your belief - WayPoint Resources has become a steady presence for our neighbors in need.  From a small food pantry open 4 hours a week to a hub of resources open 26 hours a week, our community has come together to support families and create lasting impact.

Stories Of Hope

Food

After a serious workplace accident, one single woman in our community faced an uphill battle as she began to heal.

READ MORE

CLOTHING

A local school referred a single mother and her son to WayPoint Resources under heartbreaking circumstances.

READ MORE

HEALTH CARE

At a recent back-to-school event, a family with three little girls walked into our free Health Clinic with apprehension.

READ MORE

CLIENT CARE

When a young family in our community learned they were expecting twins, their joy was quickly met with challenges.

READ MORE

Our Original Champions, Still Guiding Us

Melissa Stimple

Melissa Stimple

Executive Director

Mark Masters

Mark Masters

Volunteer

Laura Blum

Laura Blum

Volunteer

Sonia Arnold

Sonia Arnold

Volunteer

Maureen Briles

Maureen Briles

Volunteer

Sandy Argetsinger

Sandy Argetsinger

Volunteer

Linda Terpstra

Linda Terpstra

Volunteer

Rosemary Perschau

Rosemary Perschau

Volunteer

Don Perschau

Don Perschau

Volunteer

The Next Chapter Begins

Looking for a new, larger home in Waukee

Twenty years. Thousands of stories. Countless moments of hope.  Because of you — your time, your giving, your belief — WayPoint Resources has become a steady presence for our neighbors in need.

We all know the need has steadily increased over the last several years, and WayPoint Resources has reached the point where we've outgrown our current space. People are crowded. Clothing donations and processing are off-site. We don't have enough refrigeration space for our fresh donations.

Help us build the next chapter of our story — we’re looking for a place to better serve our community and grow our impact.

Contact Melissa, our Executive Director, or a Board Member to discuss.

 

20th Anniversary
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