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 enjoy Thanksgiving dinner this year.”
The Thanksgiving meal packages include two cans of green beans, two cans of corn, one 5 lb. bag of russet potatoes, a box of instant stuffing mix, and a voucher that can be redeemed at Des Moines area Hy-Vee stores for a free turkey, holiday pie, and dinner rolls.
“DMARC is so grateful to Hy-Vee for their support of 6,000 Thanksgiving meals for our community,” said DMARC CEO Matt Unger. “November is historically the busiest month of the year for food pantries, so this donation could not come at a better time for those in our community who are facing food insecurity.”
The Thanksgiving meal packages were distributed at DMARC mobile food pantry and Des Moines Public School locations.
“We were overjoyed to receive the news that DMPS families would be able to benefit from these Thanksgiving meal packages,” said Jill Padgett, LMSW, District Community School Coordinator with Des Moines Public Schools. “Within 24 hours we identified more than 800 families that would be recipients of these packages. We are so thankful for our friends at DMARC and Hy-Vee for giving back to our community in such an amazing and important way!”