Staff Spotlight: Joe Dolack
Joe Dolack joined the DMARC team in April 2013, and as Operations Manager he oversees different programs within the DMARC Food Pantry Network. Joe helped build the Mobile Food Pantry Program from its infancy. The Mobile Food Pantry Program has more than double in size since 2016. Joe enjoys helping lead DMARC’s frontline programs.
Joe attended Westwood College and Lewis University studying Criminal Justice. Joe relocated to Des Moines in 2012. While never seeing himself as an Iowan in the past Joe is now a proud transplant, with deep roots in Iowa.
Joe enjoys being ...
Staff Spotlight: Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott
The Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott joined DMARC in August 2017 as the Coordinator of Interfaith Engagement. Sarah works with the diverse faith communities of the greater Des Moines area to support the mission of DMARC, while also creating resources and opportunities to support faith communities in their work. Sarah also partners with The Comparison Project at Drake University in their efforts for interfaith awareness, dialogue, and scholarship.
As an AmeriCorps VISTA working for Northern New Mexico Legal Aid in Gallup, New Mexico, Sarah engaged community and faith leaders ...
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 ...
Staff Spotlight: John McPhee
If you've dropped off a food donation or volunteered at DMARC in the past year, there's a good chance you met John McPhee. As Warehouse Manager, John is responsible for managing warehouse inventory, operations and directing volunteer groups. John makes sure that everything in our warehouse runs smoothly and in an orderly fashion.
John graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Technical Education- Adult Learning. In John’s free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, traveling to state parks and watching sports.
What drew you to DMARC ...
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 ...
Global Atlantic Financial Group Makes Big Impact Through Virtual Drive
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 ...
DMARC Summer Interns Gain Skills and Give Back
This article first appeared in the Aug/Sep/Oct 2019 issue of The Voice.
Over the past few years, DMARC has enjoyed the privilege of hosting high school interns to assist our warehouse team with daily operations while developing life and job skills.
This summer we welcomed students from the Animal Sciences and Horticulture program at Des Moines Public Schools’ Central Campus and the Summer Youth Experience Program (SYEP) through the Evelyn K. Davis Center, two programs focused on matching youth with workforce training that helps meet their educational and profess...
DMARC Statement on “Public Charge” Final Rule
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) strongly opposes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s final rule, “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds.” We believe the “public charge” rule will negatively impact the health and nutrition of children and families in Iowa and throughout the nation.
Last year, DMARC submitted a public comment opposing the proposed “public charge” rule, and encouraged our supporters to do the same. Over 266,000 public comments were received by DHS, the majority of them in opposition to the “public charge” rule. ...
DMARC Statement on Proposed USDA Rule Change to Broad-based Categorical Eligibility
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) strongly opposes the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s proposed rule change that would significantly roll back broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Iowa is one of 42 states and jurisdictions that utilizes broad-based categorical eligibility to effectively increase the threshold for SNAP benefits up from the federal income limit of 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Thanks to broad-based categorical eligibility, the gross income limit for ...
DMARC Food Pantry Network Assists 20,000+ in July
The DMARC Food Pantry Network assisted 20,156 individuals in the month of July 2019, an increase of 13.8% compared to July of last year.
This past July was the third highest overall month of pantry use in the DMARC Food Pantry Network's 43-year history, behind November 2017 (21,108 individuals) and November 2018 (20,880 individuals). July also had the distinction of being the first month that was not a November where DMARC assisted over 20,000 individuals.
While there are a number of factors that may have impacted the amount of food pantry use we saw in July (conti...
