A Busy Year at House of Compassion

Looking back on 2025, it has been a busy year at House of Compassion (HOC). In February they hired a new executive director, Jasmine Spikes, who hit the ground running with improvements to the space and starting new classes on hand sewing, pet care, and budgeting.

Of course, they continue to serve meals 6 nights a week, offer the supply closet for basic hygiene and household items, offer medical vouchers, and utility assistance. However, the heavy rains in the spring and early summer revealed foundation leaks at HOC. In November they did a large water mitigation project, which required moving meals to First Methodist Church for a week and then doing to-go meals for another 10 days. After a lot of hard work and problem solving, this project is essentially finished and will hopefully provide a long-term solution to the problem.

First Presbyterian has helped along the way by cooking meals on the third Thursday of the month (thanks to our faithful volunteers!) and by helping with preparing the space for water mitigation. The Missions and Evangelism Committee also gives funds to HOC each year. Churches are essential to HOC’s financial and volunteer support.

It has also been a busy year because they have seen a large increase in the number of people coming to those meals. In previous years a high night would have been 50-55 people, but now that is a normal night, and the high nights are in the 70’s. With rising food costs, this has presented some challenges that the board is working through.

Along with the daily and weekly things, HOC continues to run a Job Path program where they partner with IowaWorks and others to equip people to either find a job or find a better one. They also offer four scholarships each year for local students to attend Marshalltown Community College.

Overall, things are going well at the House of Compassion as they seek to respond to the needs of people in Marshalltown. Please consider supporting by volunteering to help cook or by running the Supply Closet for a few hours. You may also consider supporting financially, which can be done by giving through the church (“House of Compassion” in the memo line of your check) or through their website: www.houseofcompassion.net/donate.