PUSHING THROUGH AN EMERGENCY
On the first open day of November (Nov. 3), The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network assisted 2,494 unique individuals – setting a single-day record for the most people assisted. This is the busiest day on record in the 50-year history of the network of Des Moines metro pantries and the start of an extremely challenging period for our neighbors living without support from SNAP. Of the people assisted yesterday, 1 in 3 were currently enrolled in SNAP.
“I want everyone in our community to know that we are doing everything in our power to ensure the support you and your family need right now,” Said Kathy Underhill, DMARC CEO.
To everyone in the Des Moines metro that isn’t sure where their next meal will come from: our doors are open and we will do everything we can to make sure you don’t leave without food.
Kathy Underhill, DMARC CEO
To find your nearest DMARC food pantry, go online to our find a pantry tool at dmarcunited.org/find-a-pantry or call 515-277-6969 x8
Due to the limited availability of Federal funding and orders from two Federal courts, USDA and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is reducing SNAP maximum allotments to 50 percent of the eligible household’s current allotment for November 2025.
Guidance distributed to the states from USDA indicates that benefits will be calculated in a way that many will likely receive far less than half of what their regular monthly allotments. The minimum benefit for a household of one is now $12 for a household of 1 or 2 people. Guidance has yet to be distributed by Iowa Health and Human Services on SNAP benefit distribution for November.
Food pantries across the state and metro, regularly see an increase in traffic during November as the needs of families increase with holiday breaks, household expenses with changing seasons, and higher costs in utilities or other emergency expenses (illness, car or household repairs).
“We are seeing a concerted effort across religious communities, the business, government, and nonprofit sector. It’s important that people do not get fatigued by the headlines, because this isn’t going to be remedied overnight,” said Underhill. “For the people struggling to afford food in our community, food pantries are one of the last lines of defense against hunger.”
For those who want to support DMARC during this critical moment, your donations will be used efficiently and effectively to help our neighbors in the Des Moines metro. DMARC can traditionally provide up to 6x the amount of food that you can with the same dollar amount at the store. We accomplish this by purchasing food pantry staples in bulk and offering them at no cost to our pantry network partners across the Des Moines metro.
You can make a monetary donation online or learn more about hosting a drive and volunteering at dmarcunited.org.
