Volunteer Spotlight: Sarah Engbretson
This month we're shining a spotlight on DMARC volunteer Sarah Engbretson, who serves on multiple DMARC committees and helps engage young professionals in fighting hunger. Thank you for all you do for DMARC, Sarah!
Why do you volunteer with DMARC?
I love how DMARC serves the community. Not only do they provide healthy and culturally appropriate options at the pantries in their network, their mission is to provide assistance in a dignified and respectful way. DMARC encounters people in their most vulnerable state and knowing that they meet every person who enters one of ...
DMARC Applauds Historic Increase to SNAP Benefits
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) applauds the recent announcement by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, used to calculate benefit amounts for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in Iowa as Food Assistance.
As a result, effective October 1, the average SNAP benefit will increase by 27%, or $36.24 more per person, per month. A temporary 15% increase to SNAP benefits that was included in the 2021 American Rescue Plan is set to expire on September 30.
“For the 285,000 ...
DMARC Launches New Mobile Food Pantry Site at Merle Hay Mall
DMARC is launching a new mobile food pantry site at Merle Hay Mall, starting Tuesday, August 3. The mobile food pantry will be on-location at the Merle Hay Applebee’s south parking lot every Tuesday evening from 4:00-6:00pm in conjunction with Applebee’s “Together We Care Tuesdays.” This new mobile food pantry site is the result of a collaboration between DMARC, the City of Des Moines, Merle Hay Mall, Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), and Merle Hay Road Applebee’s.
“DMARC is grateful for the collaborative effort between numerous partners ...
UNITS of Central Iowa Challenges Cubs Fans to Fill Storage UNIT with Cereal for DMARC
UNITS of Central Iowa is celebrating their grand opening by hosting a food and fund drive for the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network at the Iowa Cubs game on Saturday, July 10.
Fans are challenged to fill a storage UNIT that will be on-site with cereal for the DMARC Food Pantry Network. With each donation of cereal or cash contribution, participants will be entered to win a $500 travel voucher courtesy of The Travel Center, LTD. DMARC is encouraging donations of whole grain, low sugar cereal.
“Local baseball fans are excited we can ...
Celebrating Our Differences
At DMARC, we have a mission of working together to meet basic human needs for the greater Des Moines community - and that includes everyone. As we celebrate Pride this month, we celebrate our LGBTQ+ community and recognize the unique hardships faced by the queer community in meeting basic human needs.
According to the Trevor Project’s National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2021:
30% of all LGBTQ+ youth experienced food insecurity in the past month, including half of all Native/Indigenous LGBTQ+ youth.
Only 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ youth found their home to be LGBTQ-a...
DMARC Honors the Life of Harold Varce
Rev. Harold A. Varce, former Executive Director of the Des Moines Area Religious Council, passed away on June 8 at the age of 96.
Varce served as DMARC’s Executive Director from June 1973 to December 1989. Under his leadership, DMARC established its Food Pantry Network (originally known as the Emergency Food Pantry), the Compassion in Action program, Hospice of Central Iowa, the January Thaw interfaith educational series, Life After Death of Spouse (LADOS), and numerous other programs and initiatives. DMARC also transitioned from an ecumenical organization to an ...
Making DMARC a More Equitable Organization
by Matt Unger, Chief Executive Officer
At DMARC, one of the foundational pillars of our Food Pantry Network is equitable access to food. We believe that if you need food, you should be able to get the same kind of food, the same quality, and the same amount, no matter where you live in the metropolitan area. By fundraising throughout the metro and by being able to move food around the area, DMARC is able to ensure that people living in lower-income areas have the same access to good food as do people living in wealthier areas.
But the murder of George Floyd last ...
DMARC Statement on the Anniversary of George Floyd’s Death
Today marks one year since George Floyd was murdered. In the days and months that followed his tragic death, our nation, state, and local community have seen some of the largest protests and calls for racial justice in decades, demanding action and systemic change. Individuals and organizations across the country are finally reckoning with the racism that has afflicted our country since its founding - racism that has held a pervasive grip on our society even to this day.
At DMARC, we have been taking a hard look at our internal and external practices and asking oursel...
Meals From The Market Starts Up Again this Saturday
Those interested in volunteering with Meals From The Market can sign up online at dmarcunited.org/volunteer.
Join DMARC for Our Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 20, 6:00-7:00pm
via Zoom
You're invited! Join DMARC for a virtual annual meeting on Thursday, May 20, 6:00-7:00pm.
Learn more about our work over the past year and how we adapted and stayed flexible in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hear from DMARC staff, pantry partners, faith communities, and volunteers.
Receive an update on our advocacy and interfaith efforts.
Help us recognize our outstanding volunteer of the year and outgoing board leadership.
Find out more about how you can stay involved in our work.
DMARC has moved away from ...