Here are a some free resources in the Iowa City and Coralville area. They are not formally affiliated with this website, but listed here for convenience.
Basic Needs Directory
The University of Iowa has created a Basic Needs Resources page with categories of services available in the area. [View Page] An associated area map shows where facilities are located. [View Map]
Digital Access to News
The Iowa City Public Library offers all members free access to many online digital resources. [Learn More]
- Consumer Reports — ICPL login required. [Access Content]
- New York Times — ICPL login required. [Access Content]
- Washington Post — ICPL login required. [Access Content]
- The Wall Street Journal — ICPL login required. [Access Content]
To use these services:
- Login to the ICPL website with your library card number and password. This will be prompted when you click a link for a news source.
- You will be taken to the content provider website. You may need to initially establish a free account with the provider.
- Logins are typically active for one week. Return to steps 1 and 2 to reactivate.
Downsizing Tips
- “Downsizing Tips” is a short article describing how to efficiently categorize items you plan to get rid of. Simple minimalist living offers economic benefits and the downsizing helps provide items to other people who may need them. [View]
Events
Food
- Agape Cafe — “The Agape Café serves a free, hot, breakfast dine-in or to-go for our neighbors experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity. We serve every Wednesday from 7:30 – 9:00 am.” [Visit Website]
- Free Lunch Program — “The Free Lunch Program (FLP) began in January 1983… By 1989, the Free Lunch Program had become a designated United Way agency and expanded to a six-day-a-week meal program with over 35 different religious, student, neighborhood, and social groups providing the meals. FLP volunteers now number over 900. Volunteer teams prepare and serve nutritious meals using their own food or the food from local restaurants, grocery stores, and food distributors via Table to Table Food Rescue Organization, and from items in the Free Lunch pantry obtained through the HACAP Food Reservoir.” [Twitter | Website]
- ICPL Food Listing — The Iowa City Public Library maintains a list of food pantries and meal providers. [View List]
Healthcare
- Free Medical Clinic — “The Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic (FMC) is a non-profit organization, established in 1971. We believe that access to affordable health care is a basic human necessity. We strive to provide the widest range of medical and dental services possible to people in the Iowa City and surrounding community who would not otherwise have access to care.” [Website]
- Free Mental Health Clinic — “The Iowa City Free Mental Health Clinic is a biweekly free clinic led by students and faculty from the CCOM and collaborates with the College of Pharmacy and the School of Social Work. We are a transition care clinic that provides outpatient mental health services including diagnostic evaluation, therapy and counseling referrals, and medication management.” [More]
Housing / Shelter
- Shelter House — “Since 1983, Shelter House has provided safe shelter and helped people improve the quality of their lives as they move beyond homelessness. We began in an old home in Iowa City with a capacity of 29 sleeping spaces including beds, couches, and mats on the floor. Today, Shelter House operates a 70-bed emergency shelter in addition to four homes and an apartment building through which we provide over 60 permanent supportive housing units.” [Learn More]
Internet
- Coffee Shops — Most coffee shops in Iowa City provide free internet. There may be rules limiting extended use of tables, outlets, and other resources to non-patrons.
- Iowa City Public Library — The ICPL is a good location for Internet access. Computers are also available for those with a library card. [Learn More]
- University of Iowa — The University of Iowa campus has a guest network that serves public areas, such as the University Capitol Center. [Learn More]
Library
- The Iowa City Public Library offers a wide variety of resources to the public. [View]
- The Little Free Library initiative provides small inspiring artistically hand-crafted neighborhood mini-library stations. [View Map | View Website]
Movies
- Summer of the Arts — Iowa City Summer of the Arts has a free movie series. The 2022 schedule is available online. [View]
Stuff
- Craigslist Iowa City — This is a listing of random items posted for free in the Iowa City area. [View]
- Facebook Iowa City — This is a listing of random free items in the Iowa City area. [View]
- Freecycle Iowa City — An online directory of items available in the Iowa City, as well as posts from people seeking items. [Website]
- Iowa City Free — The IowaCityFree.com website has a regularly updated list of items available for pickup. This is a curated list that includes a limited number of high-quality, working, clean, useful items that are new or lightly used. [View Latest Posts]
Tech Training Classes
- Iowa City Public Library — The Iowa City Public Library regularly offers tech training on a variety of devices. [View]
- Tech Classes Directory — A listing of free classes is available at Iowa City Tech. [View]
Transportation
- CAMBUS — “CAMBUS is the University’s public transit system that provides bus service throughout the campus. Serving students, faculty, staff, visitors, and the community, CAMBUS is a comprehensive transit system providing over 3 million rides per year. The services are accessible, no fare and available to the general public.” [Official Page]
- Nite Ride — “NITE RIDE is a free late-night transportation service available to UI students, faculty, and staff of all genders. The service is powered by an online ride request application, which allows users to request rides from their mobile device or desktop computer using their Hawk ID. Express rides (directly to your final destination) are also available for $1.” [Official Page]
Additional Resources
Here are some additional resources available online from sources outside of the Iowa City area.
- Mesothelioma Lawyer Center — “Here at MesotheliomaLawyerCenter.org we aim to provide families with comprehensive mesothelioma information approved by expert physicians, as well as supporting those affected through recovering funds for medical treatment and other expenses.” [More]
- Mesothelioma Resources — “Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer of the tissue (mesothelium) that covers the lungs, abdomen and heart. The most common treatments for mesothelioma are surgery and chemotherapy. Asbestos exposure is the primary cause.” [More]
- Mesothelioma Treatment Centers — “Top mesothelioma cancer centers offer multidisciplinary care from experienced mesothelioma specialists who provide personalized care to each patient. Many centers have dedicated mesothelioma programs. Patients who get treatment at mesothelioma cancer centers report better outcomes.” [More]