Our vision is to be the healthiest county in the state of Iowa.

Our mission is to be a community-focused network promoting the health & well-being of Cass County residents.

Meeting: November 10, 2025, from 12-1 pm.

• The November Healthy Cass County meeting was held in person at Cass County Community Center.
• Topic: Awareness of Resources

Meeting Attendees:

Bernard Pettinger - Cass County Supervisor, Jeff Christensen - Parks & Rec, Amanda Wahlert - ZION Integrated Behavioral Health, Alma Clausen - ZION Integrated Behavioral Health, Elaine Otte - Atlantic City Council, Emily Warner - West Central Community Outreach, Chelsie Rush - A Community for Kids, Kate Olson - Cass county Extension, Anne Christensen - CASA, Miranda Wachter - Iowa PCA, Ardyth Gillespie - Grow Another Row, Megan Roberts - Public Health, Grace McAfee - Public Health, Christina Bettini - RSVP, Erika Kirchhoff - Thriving Families Alliance, Sam Schwartz - ZION Integrated Behavioral Health, Jo Schroer - Nebraska AIDS Project, Lora Kanning - Cass County Conservation, Tabetha Smith - Cass Health, Mary-Beth Roskens - WISC, Wendy Richter - Family Crisis

Community Resources:

West Central Community Action

• Resource Navigation: Provides assistance connecting individuals to services and completing applications.
• LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program):
• Applications accepted by appointment only and remain open until April 30.
• Applicants waiting for approval can call their gas company for an extension.
• Does not cover sewer or water bills.
• Donations:
• Does not accept food donations — please direct those to the local food pantry.
• Emergency Clothing Closet:
• Open Mondays and Wednesdays.
• Toiletry Pantry:
• Community members are asked to wait 60 days before returning for additional items.
• Housing Support:
• Works closely with Tiffany Scott at SIRHA (Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority).
• SIRHA is still taking applications, but no new vouchers are currently available.

The Gathering Community Meal

• Created to support residents after SNAP benefits were put on a pause.
• Held every other Monday through December 22 at the American Legion Hall.
• Supported entirely through community donations and volunteers.
• Those interested in helping can join the Facebook group “The Gathering Volunteers.”

Cass County General Relief (General Assistance)

• Provides immediate financial help for Cass County residents who are needy, poor, and unable to get assistance elsewhere.
• Must be 18 or older and meet income/resource guidelines (150% of the federal poverty level).
• Services Available:
• Rent and utility shut-off assistance
• Indigent cremation costs
• Budgeting help
• Assistance with DHHS, Social Security, SIRHA, and rental applications
• Uses a voucher system — payments are made directly to vendors (no cash provided).
• Debbie provided a list of community resources she partners with and refers clients to.

Atlantic Rising – Christmas Food Box Program

• Nominations now open for families or individuals in need of a Christmas meal box.
• Boxes include ham, canned vegetables, potatoes, bread, and more.
• Delivery: Thursday, December 11 after 5 PM.
• Nomination deadline: December 5.
• Nominations can be anonymous.
• Submit nominations via the Google Form created for this year’s program (shared only with partners to protect privacy).

Harvest Market – Thanksgiving Farmers Market

• Date: Monday, November 24 | 3:00–6:00 PM
• Location: Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St., Atlantic, IA)
• Show your SNAP or WIC card and receive $25 (individual) or $50 (family) in coupons to spend on food at the market.
• Grow Another Row will move some of their stands indoors to serve as a pantry-stable exchange.
• More info: ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com or @ProduceInThePark.

Community Thanksgiving

• Event: 4th Annual Community Thanksgiving
• Date: Thursday, November 27, 2024
• Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Location: Cass County Community Center, 805 West 10th St., Atlantic, IA
• Details:
• Free Thanksgiving meal for all — turkey, ham, all the fixings, and pie!
• Take-out and delivery available in Atlantic.
• Drop locations (pre-order only): Wiota, Anita, Cumberland, Massena, Lewis, Griswold, Marne, Walnut, Elk Horn, and Exira.
• To order or volunteer, call or text Anna at 712-304-5272.
• More information available on Holaday Baking Company’s Facebook page.

Nishna Valley YMCA

• Offers a Free Snack Program on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 3:45–4:00 PM.
• Includes a four-course snack for children and youth.

Hy-Vee Meals

• Flyer for November 10th-14th
• Kids eat free

Community Wellness Updates:

Healthy Cass County Coalition Meeting Agenda Schedule:

Each monthly topic is carefully selected using data from the 2025 Cass County Community Health Needs Assessment and aligned with both the Cass County Community Health Improvement Plan and the Iowa State Health Improvement Plan.

This ensures our discussions reflect real, measurable community needs — from food access and mental wellness to senior services and local collaboration. By releasing the full calendar now, organizations, partners, and residents can plan ahead to attend the meetings that best align with their missions, services, or personal passions, creating stronger partnerships and more coordinated community impact.

Coalition Member Updates:

Round Table Updates

Lora Kanning – Cass County Conservation

• November newsletter is out with fall and winter events.
• If you’re not receiving the newsletter, please email Lora to be added to the list.

Miranda Wachter – Iowa Primary Care (IPC)

• IPC now has a District 4 Navigator housed in Guthrie Center.
• Continuing to hire and train more navigators for Region 4.

Ann Christensen – CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

• Always looking for volunteers.
• Anyone can request a CASA volunteer for a child in need.

Chelsie Rush – A Community for Kids

• Several holiday events are posted on A Community for Kids.
• If you see an event missing, please email Chelsie (she doesn’t always see every event on Facebook).
• Thanksgiving placements are being distributed to food pantries, libraries, and other community locations.

Jo Schroer - Nebraska AIDS Project

• Offers testing, supplies, and education.
• Works closely with ZION and the Cass County Jail.

Candice Enstrand – Tobacco Prevention

• Partnering with ZION to get into schools and discuss tobacco prevention.

Amanda Wahlet – ZION Integrated Behavioral Health

• Provides NARCAN training for ages 16 and up.

Sam Schwartz – ZION Integrated Behavioral Health

• Now serving as Community Services Director.
• Training to become a Mental Health First Aid Trainer.

Jeff Christensen – Atlantic Parks and Recreation

• Candy Cane Hunt coming soon—watch for a date announcement.
• Find a blue candy cane and take it to the library for a prize.

Christina Bettini – CAM

• Pen Pal Program with CAM schools is underway and seeking six more volunteers aged 55+.
• Individuals receiving community resources can also volunteer (for example, food pantry clients can help deliver food or drive others).

Community Event: Medicare & Medicaid Information Session

Monday, November 10 | 6:00 PM

Heritage House, Atlantic

• Learn the facts about Medicare and Medicaid amidst current rumors of program cuts.
• Speaker: Brett Altman, CEO of Cass Health
• Open to the public.
• Contact 712-249-3557 for more information.

Kate Olson – Cass County Extension and Outreach

• 4-H has upcoming winter day camps.
• Local Food Policy Council will be distributing food coupons to local organizations.
• The Center for Rural Affairs will host a Civity Event on Connection and Local Foods
• Saturday, November 22 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Registration is appreciated for the lunch count: cfra.org/events

Alma Clausen, ZION IBH - ZION's Chasing Wellness and November Toilet Talk Newsletters are attached below. ZION is getting into schools to discuss prevention.

Erika Kirchoff, Thriving Families- Attached below are several training opportunities designed for families and/or professionals who work with families. Some sessions are available virtually, while others are offered in person in Council Bluffs.

• Hosting Connections that Count (virtual) on December 9.
• Contact Erika for more details.

Want to be involved?

Email mcage@casshealth.org to learn more about partner opportunities. Stay Involved This Summer at the Healthy Cass County Coalition Booths

• WIC Clinics - 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month

Urgent Needs Guide