A year ago, Jennifer Hunter couldn’t see a way out of her financial worries or imagine what the future might hold. “I was way down. And honestly, I was ready to give up,” she explained. “One little hiccup can start an entire domino effect.”
But a meeting with Embrace Iowa provided funding for a new furnace, paperwork filled with ideas and opportunities, and a renewed drive that encouraged her to make a series of dramatic life changes.
For more than three decades, the Embrace Iowa charitable program has been dispensing expert advice and financial grants to help individuals like Jennifer Hunter pay for specific urgent and essential needs that are momentarily out of reach. The funds are generated annually from donations made by Des Moines Register readers and overseen by the Iowa Community Action Association and its 16 regional agencies.
Faced with the impending shutdown of her utilities, no foreseeable work opportunities, and an unplanned full-time role as a caregiver to an elderly friend, all of Hunter’s stress and worries were further compounded by a broken furnace.
“The house was so cold. We were sleeping in snow pants and stocking caps. And I just had no money. There was nothing left to sell,” she added. “For some of us, asking for help is a really, really big step.”
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Sensing a difficult road ahead, a friend encouraged Hunter to at least talk with the Embrace Iowa program, located in nearby Leon. “Just off the square,” she discovered.
Hunter was initially skeptical and also wary.
“I said, ‘I can't handle being turned down anymore, because I applied for help through other organizations, and that's kind of dehumanizing.’ They make you feel like you're a mess-up, and they're kind of rude sometimes when you're already down,” she explained.
But she soon discovered the process was much simpler than she imagined. “I just needed proof of my ID, my last pay stubs. Proof of income and utility bills,” Hunter said.
Hoping to aid even more Iowans, Embrace Iowa adds food funding to its charitable agenda
How Embrace Iowa works
Embrace Iowa's financial grants are designed to cover a diverse collection of hardships, such as medical bills, children’s clothing, and overdue bills. Valued up to $750, the money is distributed directly to creditors, not the applicant, in a successful effort to prevent fraud and deceit.
Replacing her furnace was the most immediate of Hunter’s problems, and it made sense to fix it before the worst of winter had arrived. And she was shocked by the speed of the process and the empathy displayed by the staff.
“I couldn't believe it. He had someone out here that same day. Within 48 hours, we had heat running,” she said. “Not only did he help me out with the Embrace program, but he also sent me home with a list of resources. And, you know, sometimes people like me, all we need is a jumpstart to get over that hump and get us back on our way.”
One year later, and inspired by her time as a caregiver, Hunter earned state certification for a new career in providing home health care for elderly people.
“I met some wonderful people, and I'm really happy with what I'm doing. I feel like I'm giving back to the community now,” she said.
More Iowans need assistance with basic needs. Embrace Iowa offers a way to help.
How you can help Embrace Iowa
This year’s Embrace Iowa campaign is accepting contributions until Jan. 31, 2026, but for a donation to qualify as a 2025 charitable deduction, it needs to be made before the end of December. All the money raised is distributed to the applicants' creditors and not used to cover staff pay or administration costs. The fundraising goal has been raised to $500,000, building on last year’s record-breaking final total of $418,492.
Step-by-step instructions for making online donations are available at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/embrace25-26. Donors are also welcome to pay by check, and they can be mailed to Embrace Iowa, P.O. Box 10611, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410-0611.
Richard Lane is a freelance writer based in Des Moines.