DMARC Sees Rise in New Food Pantry Users in March

This March, the DMARC Food Pantry Network assisted 18,729 individuals, an increase of 11.8% compared to March 2019. In the last two weeks of March (March 16-31), DMARC saw over 1,000 people make their first visit ever to the Food Pantry Network, four times the amount of new individuals than the first two weeks of the month. First-time food pantry visitors accounted for 16% of everyone who used the DMARC Food Pantry Network in March. DMARC also saw a rise in the number of people who visited a Mobile Food Pantry location in the second half of the month. Over 1,000 ...

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Douglas M. Woods Hunger Challenge 2020

The Douglas M. Woods Hunger Challenge is a DMARC tradition! Help Mr. Woods' support go even further this year! Your congregation can double the impact of your gift in two ways: Congregations that have given in the past two years: We challenge you to host a special offering or online drive during this period. Donations up to $10,000 will be matched dollar for dollar for existing congregations! Congregations that have not given in the past two years: Donations from congregations who have never given to DMARC before, or haven’t given in the past two years will be ...

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COVID-19 Announcements and Updates

Please follow this page for ongoing updates and announcements regarding COVID-19. Last updated: 1:20pm, 10/20/2020. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) impacts us locally, we wanted to communicate how DMARC is responding. We are and have been actively monitoring information from the CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health and taking necessary precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We are fully committed to maintaining food distribution during this time, but are taking extra care to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, and the people we assist. ...

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DMARC Statement on SSB 3158

The Des Moines Area Religious Council strongly opposes Senate Study Bill 3158, which would kick nearly 60,000 Iowans off Food Assistance (SNAP), as well as expand work requirements to teenagers, pregnant women, caretakers, and college students and impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients. This is a bad bill that would negatively impact the health and nutrition of tens of thousands of Iowans, including a significant number of children. SSB 3158 advanced out of subcommittee this morning (Tuesday, February 18) and has already been scheduled to come before the Senate ...

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DMARC Assists Over 55,000 People in 2019

Food Pantry Use in December In December 2019, 19,613 people used a DMARC food pantry, an 11.6% increase in use compared to December 2018. Food Pantry Use Continues to Increase In calendar year 2019, the DMARC Food Pantry Network assisted 55,745 unique individuals comprising 23,820 unique households through its network of 14 partner food pantries and dozens of Mobile Food Pantry sites. Of the top five overall months of use in the history of the DMARC Food Pantry Network, three of them occurred in 2019 (July, October, November). The DMARC Food Pantry Network ...

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DMARC Food Pantry Network Holiday Schedule

This holiday season, we will be providing extra time for staff to spend with family and friends. The DMARC office and warehouse will close at 12:00pm on Tuesday, December 24, and will re-open the morning of Monday, December 30. We will also be closed January 1, 2020. All DMARC Mobile Food Pantry sites will be closed December 24-28, December 31, and January 1, 2020. Holiday hours for DMARC partner food pantries are below, or you can download a flyer here.

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DMARC Assists Record Number of People in November

This November, the DMARC Food Pantry Network assisted 22,632 individuals, setting a new record number of people assisted in a single month by the organization. It was also the first time DMARC assisted over 9,000 households in a single month.  

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Competitive Drives Are a Touchdown for DMARC

Fall is in the air, and so is the spirit of friendly competition! Earlier this month, a dozen companies and organizations hosted competitive drives for the DMARC Food Pantry Network (including our staff here at DMARC). Some gave online through a virtual food drive, others held traditional drives, bringing in food items, diapers, personal care items, and period supplies. Many companies incorporated a fund or food drive into other tailgating activities, and got creative with prizes for the winning teams and punishments for the losing teams. At DMARC, we hosted a chili ...

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Des Moines Area Hy-Vee Stores Donate Over $42,000 to DMARC Food Pantry Network

On Friday, September 9, 2019, Des Moines area Hy-Vee store directors stopped by DMARC's warehouse to present a donation of $42,940.28 to the DMARC Food Pantry Network. The stores participated in a companywide campaign earlier this year called "Feed the Need" to help replenish local food banks and pantries across Hy-Vee's eight-state region. Hy-Vee organized the effort when it became aware of the ongoing demand for products and supplies at food banks and pantries throughout the year, especially during non-holiday times of the year. Customers participated by simply ...

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Global Atlantic Financial Group Makes Big Impact Through Virtual Drive

Global Atlantic Financial Group check presentation
Earlier this month, Global Atlantic Financial Group hosted a virtual drive for DMARC focused on raising funds to purchase diapers, wipes, infant formula, baby food, and period supplies. The drive was spearheaded by Global Atlantic Financial Group's Women's Network. One of the objectives of the Women's Network is to sponsor community outreach activities. “Most state and federal safety-net program benefits cannot be used to purchase period supplies, leaving 1 in 4 menstruating people struggling to meet this basic need due to lack of income and 1 in 5 missing work or ...

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