220 results for author: lelzinga

Groups Host CSA Fair Promoting Fresh Produce for Healthier Hearts this Valentine’s Day Weekend

Six CSAs* will connect with potential members this coming Saturday at the Campbell’s Nutrition CSA fair presented by Greater Des Moines Buy Fresh Buy Local, Eat Greater Des Moines, and Iowa Heartland Resource Conservation and Development. The event aims to provide people the opportunity to meet with farmers directly, to learn more about CSAs, and to ask questions to help them choose a CSA that best fits their specific needs and lifestyle. “The CSA Fair is a great way to learn more about CSA options around the area and talk directly with each producer. Each CSA has benefits unique to them. This fair is a great chance to ask questions and find ...

DMARC Will Help More People

The DMARC 1435 Mulberry Initiative is a non-traditional, fast-track $1.3 million capital campaign. The project will support the property purchase and renovation of 1435 Mulberry Street, as well as equipment and furnishings and food inventory to stock the warehouse. The 1435 Mulberry Campaign will help DMARC provide more services and food for more people in more places. Goals are to strengthen and stabilize the emergency food system, enhance and equalize access to nutritional food, and improve community health in Greater Des Moines/Polk County, Iowa. In addition to housing DMARC offices, the new facility will provide for up to four times the food ...

Eat Greater Des Moines Announced as Finalist in Far Reach’s Nonprofit Tech Project Contest

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa—Far Reach, a Cedar Falls-based technology and marketing firm, announced that Eat Greater Des Moines is a finalist in its Operation: Make a Difference contest. Eat Greater Des Moines has the chance to have software built by Far Reach for free. The winner will be determined by the public—the project with the most votes at 11:59 p.m. on February 14 will be declared the winner of Operation: Make a Difference. Voting is on Far Reach’s Facebook page, and individuals can vote once every 24 hours. The winner will be announced on Facebook February 17. “We’re honored to be chosen as a finalist in the Operation: Make a ...

DMARC Takes Big Step in Faith

Take the first step in faith.You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. – Martin Luther King, Jr. For the first time in its history, the Des Moines Area Religious Council has a permanent home. On Monday, January 20, 2014, DMARC opened its new offices and Food Pantry Network warehouse at 1435 Mulberry Street in Des Moines, Iowa. Purchased in July 2013, the renovated 9,000 square foot building has been designed specifically for DMARC. The property is situated in the Western Gateway development area, with easy access from Interstate 235 and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Motivated by a building lease ...

The Path to 1435 Mulberry Street

By Kristine Frakes, Development Director Beginning in late 2010, and over the course of the next thirty (30) months, a site search committee of the Des Moines Area Religious Council visited dozens of commercial warehouses, office buildings, and other facilities. The goal was to relocate to an affordable space that would be suitable for existing programs and allow DMARC to grow in service to the community. It soon became apparent that the committee was tasked with a daunting challenge. The spaces available for lease generally were unsuited to DMARC’s needs. And, in addition to ongoing lease costs, virtually all would require substantial ...

Governor Declares Religious Freedom Day at January 16th Ceremony

Religious Freedom Day was declared by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for the state of Iowa on January 16th. DMARC's Executive Director Rev. Sarai Rice (center right) participated in the ceremony at the capitol building on January 16th. An article by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contains details: Iowa Governor Declares 16 January Religious Freedom Day in His State.

Kiwanis say “Goodbye” to old and “Hello” to DMARC’s new Food Pantry Warehouse

Local Kiwanis clubs were invited to a special ceremony on Saturday, January 11, 2014, honoring their commitment and support to DMARC’s Food Pantry Network. In 1986, Des Moines area Kiwanis (approximately 12 clubs) built a warehouse at 36th Street to house the food pantry warehouse. Today's Des Moines area Kiwanis groups include: West Des Moines Kiwanis Kiwanis Club of Johnston Kiwanis Miracle League Kiwanis Club of Des Moines (downtown) Ankeny Kiwanis Northwest Kiwanis Club Golden K Kiwanis Urbandale Kiwanis After a brief celebration and goodbye at the old location on 36th Street, they traveled by bus to the new warehouse ...

Watch Our Renovation Progress at 1435 Mulberry Street!

On Monday, January 20, 2014, the DMARC Food Pantry Network warehouse officially opened for business at 1435 Mulberry Street in Des Moines. The DMARC offices opened January 21st at the new location. The 36th Street property was purchased by the Revival Center Church of God in Christ. They will be re-purposing the old warehouse for their congregation's programing as well as making the upper floor of the offices into a sanctuary again. Thank you for your continued support during our relocation! January 8, 2014 New 'gently used' furniture was donated to the offices and steel fencing is going up around the building. Check out our January 8th ...

DMARC Food Pantry Network to Receive Hy-Vee Grocery Donation at New Warehouse

The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network will be receiving a shipment of $5,500 worth of cereal from the Hy-Vee Stores on Tuesday, December 17 at 10:00 a.m., at 1435 Mulberry Street, Des Moines. “This is the first shipment of food to DMARC’s newly renovated building on the southwest side of downtown Des Moines,” shared Food Pantry Network Director Rebecca Whitlow. “Because Hy-Vee is such a wonderful partner, we wanted to celebrate the Colossal Cookie Sale by receiving their donation as the first to our new site,” continued Whitlow. For two weeks in September, Hy-Vee Food Stores from across the greater Des ...

Holiday Gifts Are Always Welcome!

Ways to Give... Are you struggling to find the perfect gift for the holidays or another special occasion of your friend or family member? DMARC has solved your gift-giving dilemma for that special someone: Pledge to our Capital Campaign - DMARC/MovetheFood offices and the Food Pantry Warehouse are moving to a newly renovated building near downtown Des Moines. Pledging or donating funds to the Mulberry Street project would make a great gift for your business or faith leader or staff. Winter Thaw 2014 is approaching (formerly called January Thaw), give a gift registration to a course of choice for only $15. All four nights is $50. This is a ...