DMARC Sees Single busiest day of Food Pantry Usage

1 in 5 Des Moines residents received food assistance through DMARC

The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network assisted 1,731 unique individuals on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 setting a single-day record of people assisted. This surpasses the previous single-day record that had been set two months prior on May 2, 2023 assisting 1,728 unique individuals. June and July were both the 2nd and 3rd busiest months ever respectively in the 48-year history of the DMARC Food Pantry Network and many continue to struggle with the rising cost of living and inflated food prices.

“The summer has always put additional burdens on families struggling with food insecurity, but it is by no means expected to be one of our busiest times of the year. Our community is still adjusting to this ‘new normal’ and if you are living paycheck-to-paycheck every bit counts.”

DMARC CEO Matt Unger

In the past 12 months (July 2022-June 2023) DMARC has seen an increase in the number of individuals seeking out help – many for the first time. 1 in 5 Des Moines residents were assisted by the DMARC Food Pantry Network during this time.
To help meet the unprecedented level of need being seen across the DSM Metro, DMARC is teaming up with each of its 14 partner food pantries to collect food donations in a first-of-its-kind network-wide food drive in the month of August. Congregations, workplaces, and individuals can support DMARC or your local food pantry by hosting a food and fund drive.

The metro-wide event will kick off Thursday, Aug. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kinship Brewing Company as part of the ‘Kinship in the Neighborhood’ Quarterly nonprofit partnership. To encourage folks to participate, Kinship will take $1 off your bill for every food item you donate- up to $7 off.

“People need to understand that food insecurity is an issue that is affecting every neighborhood in the metro,” said Unger. “Take a look at what is going on in your own backyard and if you can, please find your way to best help.”

The DMARC Food Pantry Network consists of 14 partner food pantries and a home delivery service. DMARC’s network pantries include Caring Hands Eastview Food Pantry, Catholic Charities Outreach Center, Central Iowa Shelter & Services, Clive Community Services, DMARC-ket Southside Food Pantry, Families Forward, IMPACT Community Action Partnership – Drake Neighborhood, IMPACT Community Action Partnership – Ankeny, Johnston Partnership Food Pantry, Polk County Northside Food Pantry, Polk County River Place Food Pantry, Salvation Army Clive Food Pantry, Urbandale Food Pantry, and West Des Moines Human Services.