Douglas M. Woods “Challenge Hunger” Campaign

This article was first published as “‘Spiritual Awakening’ Leads to Douglas M. Woods ‘Challenge Hunger’ Campaign” in the Feb/Mar/Apr 2015 issue of The Voice.

by Kristine Frakes, Development Director

What do The Grapes of Wrath, a primitive southern Iowa farmhouse, and a Bible verse have in common?

For retired West Des Moines police officer Doug Woods, the convergence of these writings and memories of a boyhood experience led to his self-described “spiritual awakening” in 2012- and, soon after, the launch of the first Douglas M. Woods Hunger Challenge to benefit the DMARC Food Pantry Network.

Doug was a picky eater as a child, and his father often reminded him of children in Europe and others who were not getting enough to eat. To emphasize the point, his dad gathered up several bags of groceries and drove with Doug to deliver food to relatives in a primitive Iowa farmhouse with little furniture, bare floors and a wood stove for heat. It was an image he never forgot.

Doug said his reading of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, set during the Great Depression with its vivid portrayal of “people dying of malnutrition every day – in this country”, increased his awareness of hunger.

And, it was a reading of Bible verse 2 Corinthians 9:10 while attending New Hope Assembly of God Church in Urbandale, that spoke to him of “giving to the poor and needy”, and that guided him in his call to service through DMARC.

With the recognition that cash could help DMARC buy more food than he could buy at retail price and donate, Doug began to make monetary donations. But, he felt called to do something bigger – to do something more.

The rest is both history and a future in the making, as DMARC announces the third year of the Douglas M. Woods $10,000 Challenge Hunger Campaign. Thank you, Doug!

From March 1 through April 30, 2015, donations to DMARC that are noted as “Challenge Hunger” gifts will be matched 50 cents for every dollar, up to a total of $20,000 given. Your $10 becomes $15, $50 equals $75, and so on.

This challenge comes during a season when donations to the food pantries are historically low. Yet, the need for food assistance continues. During the Challenge, a $10 gift will help DMARC provide 20 meals. Donate online at dmarcunited.org/donate, or mail your “Challenge Hunger” donation to the DMARC office.

Thank you for your support!

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