How to Fight Food Insecurity in Des Moines
Food insecurity affects thousands of families right here in the Des Moines metro area. This September, we’re raising awareness about hunger in our community and showing you exactly how you can make a meaningful difference. Whether you’re an individual looking to give back or part of an organization seeking team-building opportunities, DMARC United offers multiple ways to address basic human needs in Greater Des Moines.
Why Fighting Food Insecurity Matters in Des Moines
Food insecurity forces families to make impossible choices between paying rent, buying medicine, or putting food on the table. When neighbors can’t afford basic necessities, it affects our entire community. That’s why DMARC United works year-round to ensure no one in Des Moines goes hungry.
Volunteer Opportunities That Make a Real Impact
The best place to begin your volunteer journey is at your local food pantry. The DMARC-Ket Southside Food Pantry welcomes both individual volunteers and groups looking for meaningful team-building experiences.
Adopt a Shift as a Group
Transform your workplace or congregation’s next team-building activity into something that truly matters. Here’s how group volunteering works:
- Choose your commitment level: Pick a two-hour shift to adopt once a month or once a quarter
- Work together as a team: Help sort donations, stock shelves, and assist families
- Make it enjoyable: Turn volunteering into a positive group experience
Group volunteering not only helps our food pantry operations run smoothly but also strengthens bonds within your organization while serving the greater Des Moines community.
Ready to get started? Visit our volunteer page to sign up your group today.
Host a Food and Fund Drive
Football season and winter holidays provide perfect opportunities to organize food and fund drives. Whether you’re planning a company tailgate, office potluck, or community gathering, you can easily incorporate a drive to benefit local families facing food insecurity.
Creative Drive Ideas:
- Tailgate drives: Collect non-perishable items at your next game day event
- Holiday potlucks: Ask guests to bring canned goods along with covered dishes
- Workplace challenges: Set department goals for food collection
- Seasonal campaigns: Coordinate drives around Thanksgiving, Christmas, or back-to-school season
Food and fund drives provide essential resources while raising awareness about hunger in Des Moines. Every donation helps families access nutritious meals when they need them most.
Learn more about organizing successful drives on our food drive resources page.
Experience a Hunger Simulation
Want to truly understand the challenges facing food-insecure families in Des Moines? DMARC United offers powerful Hunger Simulation experiences that reveal the difficult decisions people make when they can’t afford basic needs.
What to Expect:
- One-hour guided activity led by experienced DMARC staff
- Real-world scenarios that demonstrate the realities our neighbors face daily
- Eye-opening insights into the root causes of food insecurity
- Actionable solutions your group can implement to help
Hunger Simulations are perfect for:
- Corporate social responsibility training
- Church education programs
- Community organization workshops
- Student group activities
Interested in hosting a Hunger Simulation? Contact our education team to schedule your session.
Take Action Today
Food insecurity doesn’t wait, and neither should your response. The Des Moines community needs volunteers, donors, and advocates who are ready to jump into action.
Ready to make a difference?
- Sign up for volunteer opportunities
- Schedule your group’s adopted shift
- Plan your next food drive
- Book a Hunger Simulation experience
Together, we can meet basic human needs and build a stronger, more food-secure Greater Des Moines community. Your involvement—whether it’s two hours a month or organizing a major food drive—creates ripple effects that extend far beyond individual families to strengthen our entire metro area.
DMARC United has been fighting food insecurity in the Greater Des Moines area for over 40 years. Learn more about our mission, programs, and impact at dmarcunited.org.
