DMARC Names Matt Unger as CEO
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Board of Directors has named Matt Unger as the new CEO of DMARC.
Matt Unger recently completed a 6+ year stretch at the Food Bank of Iowa. Starting as Program Manager and finishing as Chief Operating Officer, Unger led the Food Bank of Iowa to record distribution. His leadership at Food Bank of Iowa also included the implementation of three new programs, a merger with the Food Bank of Southern Iowa, and oversight of the Food Bank’s warehouse remodel. Prior to joining the nonprofit sector, Unger spent more than a dozen ...
Life Happens
Life happens. You've probably heard that phrase a thousand times. But for many who are assisted by DMARC's Food Pantry Network, it can mean so much more.
Meet "Maria" and "Lisa." Maria is Lisa's aunt. She's also a disabled veteran who is Lisa's sole guardian. Both Lisa and Maria have lived in Des Moines for most of their lives.
Lisa is now a young teenager. Unfortunately, both of her parents have passed away. She has also lost vision in one eye, with the other eye losing sight as well. Today, Maria serves as Lisa's primary caregiver. Until a year ago she also served ...
Statement on Shooting at Chabad of Poway Synagogue
DMARC stands in solidarity with the Jewish community in California, Greater Des Moines, and across the world in mourning the attack on the Chabad of Poway Synagogue. Yet again, deadly violence has been perpetrated against a Jewish community and place of worship on Shabbat.
We call on our supporters, member congregations, and community leaders to take a firm stance against antisemitism, white nationalism, xenophobia, other hateful philosophies, and the people who spread them. This terrible act was committed on the last day of the festival of Passover—a time of rememb...
DMARC Statement on Sri Lanka Attacks
We are profoundly disturbed and saddened by the attacks in Sri Lanka today that targeted multiple Christian Churches on the day of their Easter celebrations. We stand in solidarity with the Christian community of Sri Lanka and around the world in grieving the lives lost. Once again, we are devastated by the violation of worship spaces and sacred days to commit acts of violence against religious communities.
We call on our supporters and community to speak out against religious hatred in all forms. It is our shared responsibility to create a community in which all ...
DMARC and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa Unveil ‘Refuel Station’
On Tuesday, April 2, DMARC and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa (BGCCI) unveiled the Refuel Station, a new mobile food pantry, which is to be used initially at local Boys & Girls Clubs locations.
Joe Dolack, the mobile food pantry program manager for DMARC, Jodie Warth, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa CEO, and Mitch Wasden, Iowa Total Care CEO, all gave remarks at the event. The pantry is to provide Boys & Girls Clubs families with healthy, kid-friendly, grab-and-go food items.
“Thanks everybody who has helped put this together,” Dolack said, “We ...
DMARC Names New Board Members and Leadership
Denise Bubeck
Denise Bubeck had the privilege of growing up in a minister’s home where she developed her passion for connecting with people. She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Early Childhood from Crown College. She spent several years teaching as she and her husband raised their two sons. Denise has and continues to volunteer in a variety of capacities including political endeavors, the local food pantry, a refugee organization, an advisory board member for Iowans Supporting Israel, and her church. As a recent cancer survivor Denise ...
DMARC Receives National Recognition for Food Pantry 2.0
DMARC recently received recognition from two national groups for its innovative work to provide incentives for healthy choices at food pantries through our Food Pantry 2.0 project.
DMARC was recently announced as one of five finalists for the fourth annual Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) Partner of the Year Award. The Partner of the Year recipient will be announced at PHA's 2019 Summit: Accelerating a Healthier Future, April 1-2, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois.
According to PHA, "each of the partners selected has exemplified positive change through their ...
Statement on Christchurch Shootings
The Des Moines Area Religious Council stands in solidarity with the Muslim community in New Zealand, Greater Des Moines, and across the world today. We are heartbroken and sickened by the horrific attack on the Muslim community of Christchurch, New Zealand. Yet again, a violent anti-Muslim extremist has taken innocent lives in a place of worship.
We call on our supporters and member congregations to speak out against anti-Muslim, antisemitic, and anti-religious hatred in all forms. Under no circumstances must hateful language be tolerated or given a pass. We call on ...
Mobile Food Pantry Launching New Sites Next Week
Next week, the DMARC Mobile Food Pantry will visit four new mobile pantry partner locations throughout Greater Des Moines. Times and locations for new DMARC Mobile Food Pantry sites are as follows:
Beginning Monday, February 11, the DMARC Mobile Food Pantry will visit Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310, every second and fourth Monday of the month from 12-2pm.
Beginning Monday, February 11, the DMARC Mobile Food Pantry will visit Chapel Ridge West Apartments, 210 S 41st Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265, every second and fourth Monday ...
Food for Thought: Tax Wise Giving
If you are considering a gift to DMARC, you might consider one of the following to help you maximize your gift:
Giving appreciated stock
Making a qualified charitable distribution through your IRA to DMARC
Bunching your gifts to DMARC
Giving to DMARC through a Donor Advised Fund
Giving to DMARC’s Endow Iowa Fund
Giving Appreciated Stock
There are several benefits –
The knowledge that your money will be invested in a cause you believe in.
You avoid capital gains taxes.
You will be eligible to receive an income tax charitable deduction for the full fair ...