DMARC Statement on Hostage Situation at Congregation Beth Israel
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) stands with the Jewish community of Colleyville, Texas, and with the wider Jewish community of Greater Des Moines, the state of Iowa, and the world. While we are relieved that all four hostages were physically unharmed, Saturday’s hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel is just the latest example of the rising levels of antisemitism our nation is experiencing. No one should feel unsafe in practicing their faith or attending a house of worship.
DMARC condemns all acts of religious hatred and violence. From slurs and ...
DMARC Statement on Bomb Threat at Burns United Methodist Church
This weekend, DMARC was saddened to learn about the bomb threat directed at Burns United Methodist Church, a Historically Black Church that has been a part of our community for over 150 years. This threat is not one that should be taken lightly. Throughout our nation’s history, Black churches have been the targets of racist intimidation and violence through bombings, arsons, and shootings. And as we have seen, these threats continue to this very day. It is imperative that we call out racism and religious bigotry whenever and wherever we witness them, and refuse these ...
Opportunities
by Tara Leigh Kramer. A shorter version of this article first appeared in the Nov/Dec/Jan 2021-2022 issue of The Voice.
One definition of the word "opportunity" is "a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something."
I fell ill, and my symptoms became profound. I lost the ability to eat and digest food properly. The malnourishment and weight loss changed my appearance drastically. My brain wasn't functioning the way it had before. I was confused by everything and lost the ability to communicate.
I lost the ability to advocate for myself, and nobody I ...
Marisol’s Story
by Leslie Garman, Director of Development & Outreach
"If you were here right now, I'd give you a hug!"
No, I'm not the one saying that; Marisol, a DMARC food pantry visitor is. And she's saying it because she's grateful—to you.
Thanks to you and your support, the DMARC Food Pantry Network continues to serve as a safety net for our community's most vulnerable, including women like Marisol, who are doing their best to make ends meet and provide for both themselves and their family.
And Marisol's story is all too common. She is just one of the 58,700 unique ...
DMARC Honors the Life of Forrest Harms
Rev. Forrest Harms, former Executive Director of the Des Moines Area Religious Council, passed away on November 5 at the age of 79. Harms served as Executive Director of DMARC for 17 years, from January 1990 to July 2007.
Rev. Harms was dedicated to the interfaith mission of DMARC, and worked to create opportunities for interfaith learning through the January Thaw adult education series and interfaith panels, forums, and worship services. In 1992, he created the DMARC Interfaith Service Awards Luncheon to honor congregations and organizations who demonstrated a shared ...
DMARC Launches Mobile Food Pantry at CareMore Health with $10,000 Donation from Amerigroup Foundation
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is launching a mobile food pantry with a recent $10,000 Amerigroup Foundation donation at CareMore Health’s Des Moines Care Center, 1530 East Euclid Avenue in Des Moines. DMARC’s mobile food pantry will be on-location at CareMore from 2:00-4:00pm on Wednesday, October 27, and will be there every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month following.
Visitors to the mobile food pantry can select from a variety of healthy foods available. Once per calendar month, visitors can receive a 3-day supply of food based on family size, ...
Volunteer Spotlight: Sarah Engbretson
This month we're shining a spotlight on DMARC volunteer Sarah Engbretson, who serves on multiple DMARC committees and helps engage young professionals in fighting hunger. Thank you for all you do for DMARC, Sarah!
Why do you volunteer with DMARC?
I love how DMARC serves the community. Not only do they provide healthy and culturally appropriate options at the pantries in their network, their mission is to provide assistance in a dignified and respectful way. DMARC encounters people in their most vulnerable state and knowing that they meet every person who enters one of ...
DMARC Applauds Historic Increase to SNAP Benefits
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) applauds the recent announcement by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, used to calculate benefit amounts for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in Iowa as Food Assistance.
As a result, effective October 1, the average SNAP benefit will increase by 27%, or $36.24 more per person, per month. A temporary 15% increase to SNAP benefits that was included in the 2021 American Rescue Plan is set to expire on September 30.
“For the 285,000 ...
DMARC Launches New Mobile Food Pantry Site at Merle Hay Mall
DMARC is launching a new mobile food pantry site at Merle Hay Mall, starting Tuesday, August 3. The mobile food pantry will be on-location at the Merle Hay Applebee’s south parking lot every Tuesday evening from 4:00-6:00pm in conjunction with Applebee’s “Together We Care Tuesdays.” This new mobile food pantry site is the result of a collaboration between DMARC, the City of Des Moines, Merle Hay Mall, Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), and Merle Hay Road Applebee’s.
“DMARC is grateful for the collaborative effort between numerous partners ...
