Food Pantry Network Holiday Hours

The DMARC office and warehouse will close at noon on Friday, December 22 and will be closed on Monday, December 25 and Monday, January 1 for the holidays. The DMARC Mobile Food Pantry will be closed on Monday, December 25 and Monday, January 1 for the holidays. On Friday, December 22, the DMARC Mobile Food Pantry will close at noon. The Canterbury Heights mobile site will be pushed to the next Friday, December 29, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Holiday hours across the DMARC Food Pantry Network are available below. Download a PDF. Impact Community Action Partnership ...

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DMARC Statement on Acts of Religious Hatred

The Des Moines Area Religious Council stands with the Islamic Center of Des Moines and all Muslims who call our city and state home. We condemn any and all acts of religious hatred and intolerance, and we call on our member congregations to join us in doing so. Freedom of worship is one of our essential rights as Americans. Religious persecution has no place in the community of Greater Des Moines or the state of Iowa. Additionally, we call on our community leaders to set positive, inclusive examples for our citizens by speaking against these types of hate-filled acts.

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Growing Hope


DMARC Statement on Religious Discrimination

For decades, Iowa has been a beacon of hope for people from around the world seeking refuge from war and religious persecution. Any form of discrimination on the basis of religion is not only a violation of the Constitution, it is also a denial of our values as Iowans. As an interfaith organization, the Des Moines Area Religious Council stands with our brothers and sisters of all faith traditions against religious discrimination and intolerance, and calls on our community to unite in love against any attempt to limit the rights of religious communities who call Greater Des ...

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Operation Rice Bowl Benefits DMARC

The DMARC Food Pantry Network was recently awarded a $550 grant from the Diocese of Des Moines and Catholic Relief Services' Operation Rice Bowl Program. Operation Rice Bowl provides an opportunity for individuals and families to make a positive difference in the lives of people around the world who struggle with hunger and poverty. It provides Catholics with an opportunity to live out the central themes of Lent by praying with their families and faith communities, fasting in solidarity with those who don't have enough food, learning about the joys and challenges in ...

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Food Pantry Usage Report: December 2016

In December 2016, the DMARC Food Pantry Network served 6,509 families and 16,556 individuals. There were 6,509 families served in December 2016, which was 1,030 more families served than in December 2015, an increase of 18.8%. There were 16,556 individuals served in December 2016, which was 2,554 more individuals served than December 2015, an increase of 18.2%.

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Bemis Company Foundation Grants $5,000 to Food Pantry Network

DMARC recently received a $5,000 grant from the Bemis Company Foundation to support the Food Pantry Network. This grant award will go toward the purchase of healthy food supplies such as fresh produce, frozen meats, dairy, and low-sodium, low-fat and low-sugar items to be distributed within the DMARC Food Pantry Network. The grant will provide funding for approximately 8,600 meals for 950 low-income individuals in Greater Des Moines.

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DMARC Awarded $500 from Walmart Foundation

DMARC was recently awarded $500 from the Walmart Foundation via the Ankeny Sam's Club (Facility #6979). The funds will be used to purchase and provide supplies of healthy food choices such as fresh produce, frozen meats, dairy, as well as low-sodium, low-fat and low-sugar items for distribution within DMARC's Food Pantry Network. The $500 grant will provide funding for approximately 860 meals for nearly 100 low-income individuals in Ankeny within the service area of Sam's Club Store #6979.

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Double Take: Des Moines Now On Sale

"Double Take: Des Moines" is a newly-released memory match card game created by Kathy Olah of West Des Moines. The game includes 60 cards featuring 30 different photos (all taken by Kathy) of iconic Des Moines locations and sights. Olah is a long-time supporter of DMARC, and for every copy of the game sold will be donating $2 to the DMARC Food Pantry Network. The game is currently being sold at Raygun, Tandem Brick, the Iowa State Capitol Gift Shop, and the Des Moines Botanical Center Gift Shop. Learn more about Kathy Olah and Double Take: Des Moines in this ...

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#NoHungerCentralIowa Food Drive at Christmas with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith Concert a Big Success

On Sunday, December 4, 2016, the DMARC Food Pantry Network was on-site at the Christmas with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith concert to collect food donations as concert-goers entered Wells Fargo Event Center. The food drive was sponsored by Life 107.1 as part of their #NoHungerCentralIowa concert benefit campaign. "It was such a pleasure to work with both Wells Fargo Event Center and DMARC on our first large-scale food drive," said Life 107.1's Jen Green. "#NoHungerCentralIowa was a huge success." DMARC staff and volunteers were situated at both entrances of ...

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