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
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 »Winter weather closure for Feb. 16
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is closing its office, warehouse, and DMARC-ket Southside Food Pantry on Thursday, Feb. 16 due to expected severe winter weather. Residents are encouraged to call their local food pantry directly with questions about closures to have the most …Read More »
DMARC, Food Bank of Iowa commit to work together, share path forward
DES MOINES, Iowa (Feb. 14, 2023) – The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) and Food Bank of Iowa (FBOI) today announced plans for a new food rescue partnership and coordinated distribution standards to assist Polk County neighbors facing food insecurity. DMARC CEO Matt Unger …Read More »
SSB 1105 is a Step in the Wrong Direction for Iowa
Senate Study Bill 1105 is a bill in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that targets the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Your feedback can ensure Iowans aren’t faced with additional barriers around hunger and food insecurity. A subcommittee meeting for SSB 1105 is …Read More »
DMARC-KET Southside Food Pantry expanding hours
The DMARC-Ket Southside Food Pantry is expanding its operating hours effective Monday, Jan. 30. Hours: 9 to 5 p.m. – Monday to Friday 9 to 1 p.m. – First Saturday of the month (starting Sat., Feb. 4) This change is to reflect the rising need …Read More »House File 3 Would Increase Food Insecurity in Iowa
Last week, House File 3 was introduced in the Iowa House with 39 co-sponsors. While we were pleased to see a $1 million appropriation for the Double Up Food Bucks program included in the bill (a top legislative priority for DMARC), there are a number …Read More »
DMARC Breaks Single-Day Record of Food Pantry Use on January 3
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network assisted 1,614 unique individuals on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, setting a new single-day record of people assisted. The previous single-day record had been set two months prior on November 1, 2022, when 1,529 people were …Read More »
Blake Willadsen Joins DMARC Staff, Luke Elzinga Shifts to New Role
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) welcomed Blake Willadsen to its team as Marketing & Communications Manager on January 3, 2023. Luke Elzinga transitioned to a new role as Policy & Advocacy Manager. “We are very excited to have Blake bring his experience and …Read More »