Des Moines Area Religious Council
100 Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA 50315 | (515) 277-6969 | info@dmarcunited.org
Our Mission
Working together to meet basic human needs for the greater Des Moines community.
Our Services
Learn more about our Food Pantry Network and Interfaith Engagement.
Latest News from DMARC
DMARC Statement on the passage of SF 494
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is disappointed to learn that Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the controversial bill, Senate File 494, into law yesterday. While we were pleased our advocacy ensured some of the most harmful proposals were ultimately not included in the final …Read More »
Driving change through Food Rescue
For Joan Habel the sound of the DMARC truck backing up to the dock is always a highlight of the week. With 31 years of management experience at the Windsor Heights Sam’s Club, Habel finds that by building relationships with organizations like DMARC can make …Read More »
A year after the pandemic ends on paper, food pantry usage continues to grow faster than ever before
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network assisted 1,725 unique individuals on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, setting a new single-day record of people assisted. All-time single day records were recently set for the DMARC Food Pantry Network on Nov. 1, 2022 (1529) …Read More »
Over 200 Iowa Interfaith Leaders Speak Out against SNAP legislation
Re: Iowa Interfaith Leaders Speak Out Against SF 494 Dear Governor Reynolds, Lt. Governor Gregg, and Iowa Legislative Leaders, We, the undersigned leaders from across the religious spectrum, oppose Senate File 494 on moral, religious, and humanitarian grounds. Feeding the poor is a universal value …Read More »
DMARC Food Pantry Network Breaks March, April records
A year after a massive reduction in public benefits end in Iowa, disturbing trends loom for food insecurity The DMARC Food Pantry Network set a new record for the number of people assisted in the month of March, reaching 19,410 unique individuals seeking out food …Read More »DMARC Statement on International Transgender Day of Visibility
At DMARC, we have a mission of working together to meet basic human needs for the greater Des Moines community – and that includes everyone. We lift up and support our LGBTQ+ community and recognize the unique hardships faced by the queer community in meeting …Read More »
Join DMARC for Sundays at the Ballpark
Take me out to the ball game! A special partnership with the Iowa Cubs allows baseball fans free admission to any Sunday home game (approx. 1 p.m. start time) with the donation of three food items to the DMARC Food Pantry. Donations can be made …Read More »Statement by DMARC on the passage of Senate File 494
As expected, yesterday the Iowa Senate passed Senate File 494 along party lines. The fight around the supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is not a new one, but somehow the dialogue around public assistance never changes. Elected officials claim their job is to ensure tax …Read More »
Revised SNAP Bills Still Threaten Food Security in Iowa
Last week, House File 3 and Senate Study Bill 1105 both came before their respective House and Senate Health and Human Services Committees. Both passed out of committee with amendment as expected. The Senate bill passed along a party-line vote, and in the House, two …Read More »
Spotlight: DART Central Station Mobile Food Pantry
STORY BY JOE DOLACK, OPERATIONS MANAGER Transportation has long been a barrier for people looking to access a food pantry. Learning to meet that need sparked an idea and partnership between Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) and DMARC. Since 2018, the mobile pantry site …Read More »