Basic Needs Network Assessment Report

In 2011, United Way of Central Iowa commissioned DMARC to conduct an independent assessment of the scope of programs available to respond to basic needs of low-income families and individuals in Central Iowa. Click here to read the Basic Needs Network Assessment Report Brief. What programs and services are available to help people in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties who need assistance with housing, food, medical care, and other basic needs? Who is being helped through this safety net? What is the community and economic impact of these programs? What are ...

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Buy Fresh Buy Local’s Go the Distance: Plant a Mile Accelerated by Drought

Volunteers have helped plant and weed a mile of produce crops at the Rinehart Family Farm near Boone. This summer’s hot and dry conditions have brought the harvest on much faster than planned. Harvest and distribution is beginning this week instead of the original plan to harvest at the end of August. Greg and Polly Rinehart are delivering 200 to 250 dozen ears of sweet corn (2,400 to 3,000 ears) to the Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday morning, July 14. Volunteers will load the sweet corn into the DMARC Food Pantry Network and MovetheFood truck at 9 a.m. Additional ...

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DMARC Receives $10,000 Grant from the Principal Group Foundation

The Des Moines Area Religious Council has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Principal Financial Group Foundation for its supportive services programs. “Giving back is engrained in the culture at The Principal. It’s important to support the communities our employees call home,” said Mary O’Keefe, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, the Principal Financial Group®. “Enriching the Central Iowa community helps retain and attract top talent, creates an excellent business environment and makes for a great place to live – and work.” DMARC ...

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DMARC Partners with Walgreens in Red Barrel Program

The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is partnering with 23 metro area Walgreens’ stores, in the Red Barrel Program. To kick-off the new locations an event will be held at the Walgreens on 2545 E. Euclid Avenue, Des Moines on Saturday, June 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. DMARC and MovetheFood will accept donations of cash and shelf-stable food and personal items from the stores to support its 12-site Food Pantry Network. Walgreens community leader Tom Humphrey had this to say about the Red Barrel program, “Ever since we opened up Walgreens in Des Moines, we have ...

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Increase Your Impact

DMARC Invites Your Participation in the 2012 Feinstein Challenge $1 Million Giveaway to Fight Hunger from March 1 to April 30, 2012. Increase your giving impact! Mark your calendar to stretch your cash or food gifts to the DMARC Food Pantry Network even further! In 2011, the Feinstein Challenge resulted in nearly $82,500 in donations,or the food equivalent of nearly 110,000 meals, designated for the DMARC Food Pantry Network. Help us reach our goal of $90,000 in Feinstein Challenge donations for the DMARC Food Pantry Network. How can you help? From now until ...

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Thank You for the Des Moines Register Aurora Award

Dear friends, supporters, volunteers, and partners, You've probably heard already that DMARC has been awarded the Des Moines Register's Aurora Award for 2010. I'm so pleased for all of you that our work together is being recognized. Because of you, the Des Moines Area Religious Council has been able to help meet basic needs of people in Des Moines, even in the midst of an historic recession.

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