Host a Drive
Whether at home, in your workplace, or at your faith community, supporting the DMARC Food Pantry Network can be a fun way to bring people together around a common goal to fight food insecurity.
Help us set the table this holiday season...
How to get started
During our busiest time of the year, your support makes a difference for the thousands of metro neighbors visiting a food pantry this holiday season. Here are some tips to making your drive a success.
From farm to Food Pantry
The Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines has become a staple of Iowa food, arts, and culture since its humble beginnings decades ago. With thousands of market-goers and hundreds of vendors…have you ever wondered what happens to the food that doesn’t get purchased?
The ‘Meals From the Market’ program aims to address that very question. The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network partners with the market to ensure that food that is safe to eat makes it to people facing food insecurity in our neck ...
Read the ‘Portrait of a Pantry Visitor’ Report
Portrait of a Food Pantry Visitor:
Data, Demographics, and disparities
This report aims to highlight current disparities among food pantry visitors related to race and ethnicity, gender, and age. It is our hope that this report will inform the public and policymakers about these disparities, why they exist, and potential ways we can remedy them in our community, as it is critical to understand the ways in which previous inequitable policies influence, and often negatively impact, people’s current realities today.
3 Ways to Scare Away Hunger this Halloween season
Looking forward to frights and fun this Halloween season? As you plan ahead for your tricks and treats, don’t forget about all the ways you can help fight hunger along the way.
Hold a 'trunk or treat' event and include a food drive
'Trick or Treat' for DMARC
Save the Date:
Join Save the Children Action Network and DMARC as we bring advocates from across the state of Iowa for the 2023 Iowa State Advocacy Summit on Saturday, October 28, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.
What is the Advocacy Summit?
The Iowa State Advocacy Summit is an annual event that brings ...
Save the Date – Fighting hunger shouldn’t be scary…
Join Save the Children Action Network and DMARC as we bring advocates from across the state of Iowa for the 2023 Iowa State Advocacy Summit on Saturday, October 28, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.
What is the Advocacy Summit?
The Iowa State Advocacy Summit is an annual event that brings together advocates from across the state for a tailored experience that includes special speakers, expert panels, fun team building activities, and skills trainings. This year, Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) and Des Moines Area Religious Council are teaming up to help anti-hunger and ...
What you need to know about P-EBT
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Monday that food assistance will be available through a program called Summer Pandemic EBT food benefits in the coming weeks. Programs that provide food assistance with minimal barriers are key to addressing food insecurity for families and DMARC applauds the efforts of advocates who helped make these funds a possibility for the children of Iowa.
Benefits are being issued to eligible school-age children through an EBT card starting this week with cards hitting mailboxes by Oct. 4. This program provides ...
6 ways to make a difference during Hunger Action Month
As the DMARC Food Pantry Network continues to see more people than ever before, this September is a great time to find a way to help us fight hunger right in your own backyard. Every little bit counts… see if you can find a new way to get involved this month.
Become an anti-hunger advocate
Hunger is affecting every neighborhood in the Des Moines Metro right now. Educating others about food insecurity is one of the best ways to encourage action and there are lots of ways to learn more. Read our latest publications, follow us on social media, and follow our latest ...
Turning interfaith engagement Into understanding and action
As you walk through the doors to Temple B'nai Jeshurun, immediately you are greeted by a table of literature on local charity resources, a table of food donation collections, and a bright red barrel adorning the classic DMARC Red Barrel stop sign – “Help STOP Hunger in our city”. The Jewish reformed synagogue is celebrating its 150-year anniversary this year and each month is choosing to select a different food item to collect donations of for the Food Pantry Network.
For Rabbi Neal Schuster this idea of helping those in need is simple and constant in ...
DIY: When creativity and philanthropy meet
17 year old Ethan H. Stanley doesn't like to be bored in the summers. After volunteering with his High School Swim team at the DMARC warehouse, he came up with an idea for how he could support a cause he cared about. Thanks to Ethan's direction, On Aug. 15 at Legacy Golf Club golfers will tee off to support DMARC in the inaugural "Putts for the Pantry" golf benefit.
"I grew up playing golf, I compete on Dowling's Golf Team, and I love the game of golf," said Stanley, the event director. "I wanted to use my passion for Golf as a way to help others."
The event ...
DMARC Food Pantry Network Hosting ‘Rivalry Week’ Food Drive Competition
Want bragging rights off the field prior to the big game on September 9th?
The state's largest food pantry network is inviting the community to give back while showing their Iowa or Iowa State pride during the DMARC Competitive Food or Fund Drive.
DMARC is asking workplaces, religious congregations, and other groups to consider hosting a food drive coinciding with the Sept. 9 matchup between the University of Iowa and Iowa State Cyclones.
This past Fiscal Year (July 2022 to June 2023) was DMARC’s busiest 12-months ever assisting 59,844 unique individuals – ...