Underscoring the Importance of Interfaith Efforts
On February 8, DMARC’s Coordinator of Interfaith Engagement and state senator, Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott, shared a prayer in the Iowa Senate written by a young Muslim woman who was a previous participant of the Interfaith Youth Leadership Camp, a week-long event DMARC co-hosts every summer with the Comparison Project at Drake University.
Unfortunately, the response to this prayer has not all been positive. It seems some people in our state still react with anger and fear when they come in contact with a faith that is not their own.
The negative responses to ...
DMARC Food Pantry Network Resumes Distribution of USDA Food Boxes
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network began distributing USDA boxes from the fifth round of the USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program today. DMARC previously participated in the first four rounds of the program from late May to the end of December 2020. Additional funding for the fifth round of the program was included in the federal COVID relief package that passed in late December.
“We are excited to again be participating in the USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program,” said DMARC CEO Matt Unger. “Visitors to DMARC food ...
Partner Profile: Johnston Partnership Place
This year, the Johnston Partnership will celebrate their 20th anniversary as a nonprofit organization. But it was only a few months ago that the organization moved into building space that was specifically designed for their needs. The new space, which officially opened on September 29, 2020, is almost exactly twice as large as the previous space, with two doors to the outside rather than one.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors to the food pantry at Johnston Partnership Place place food orders from outside the building. The food pantry is also delivering food pantry ...
Spreading Love and Justice Through Art
by T.K. West
Originally from Madrid, Nadia Drake grew up on a farm in an area that is historically known as Sugar Valley. She then graduated from the University of Northern Iowa before making her way back to the Des Moines Metro. Today, Nadia not only works for the Des Moines Public School District but also started her own business, Sugar Valley Stationary and Prints, in 2018.
“This is my community, it is my home. There are so many exciting things happening in Des Moines, from the youth taking charge of the future of our city to all of the exciting growth happening ...
In Loving Memory of Linda Vander Hart
Last week, DMARC lost a very important member of our family, Linda Vander Hart. Linda was the Office Administrator for our team for more than seven years, but that “title” falls woefully short in describing how much Linda did for DMARC. She very much was the glue that held everything together. To say she will be missed could not be more understated.
Linda was a true believer in our mission and dedicated to those food insecure individuals and families our food pantry network assists. She would go out of her way to connect callers with the kind of assistance they ...
Support Our Work through the DMARC Holiday Sale
This Holiday season donate and shop all in one place! Whether buying a gift for a loved one or yourself do it with DMARC's Holiday sale.
Your support of the event will help close the gap between hunger and food security in Greater Des Moines, helping to do more than just fill "bellies" but to provide healthy and nutritious food that nourishes both body and mind of those in need, contributing toward the educational achievement, public health, economic productivity, and overall quality of life of our community.
Thank you to the local stores for donating these items ...
Partner Profile: Catholic Charities Food Pantry
Catholic Charities Food Pantry
1815 Hubbell Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 262-7290
Website
Hours of Operation
Monday-Thursday: 10:00am – 3:30pm
Friday: 9:30am – 11:30am
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines has been providing food service to the greater Des Moines community for a long time. Prior to the establishment of Catholic Charities Food Pantry (originally named St. Mary Family Center) in 1993, Catholic Charities operated a food pantry out of a closet in their administrative office.
From their building at 1815 Hubbell Avenue, Catholic ...
DMARC Distributes 6,000 Thanksgiving Meals Donated by Hy-Vee
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network distributed 6,000 Thanksgiving meals that were donated by Hy-Vee, Inc. On November 19, Des Moines area Hy-Vee employees packed 1,500 Thanksgiving meal packages, each containing enough food for a Thanksgiving meal for four.
“The Des Moines area Hy-Vee stores are happy to make a donation of 6,000 meals to DMARC,” said Katie Popp, Regional Marketing Manager for Hy-Vee. “We know that this has been an especially difficult year for many across central Iowa and we wanted to ensure that more families can ...
Iowa Pork Producers Support DMARC through “Running with the Pigskins”
The "big game" between Iowa and Iowa State is one of the biggest Iowa – and DMARC traditions! As part of the fun each year, Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) encourages groups and organizations to host competitive food and fund drives in honor of the game, using the friendly rivalry as a fun way to support a great cause.
But with this year’s game cancellation, DMARC sought a different way to have fun and raise funds through a new event – “Running with the Pigskins."
Together with DMARC’s long-time partner, the Des Moines Public Schools agricultural ...
21-Day Equity Challenge Reflection: Andrea Cook
by Andrea Cook, Program Director, Johnston Partnership Place
When United Way of Central Iowa announced the 21-Day Equity Challenge, I did all the things a non-profit program director should: emailed the information out to my Board members, staff and volunteers, signed up myself, fielded the questions that inevitably arose. But I was nervous. My daily work brings me face-to-face with people from many walks of life. I can guarantee I have not handled every situation correctly, but just how much was I going to dislike the reflection in the mirror I would see over this ...
