Iowa Farmers Cultivate Hope and Help Through Gifts of Grain and Produce
By Kristine Frakes,
DMARC Development Director
This is a season when emerald fields of soybeans and corn blanket the rural Iowa landscape as far as the eye can see.
It is also a time of high need for food assistance across central Iowa communities. Family budgets are stretched with summer child care costs and back-to-school clothing and supply demands. Yearly help for energy assistance has long since expired. Many health-impaired seniors will soon approach the “donut-hole” period of the year for medical care assistance, and struggle with the burden of added ...
Healthy Communities Grant helps DMARC Food Pantry Network partner with Eat Greater Des Moines
Eat Greater Des Moines, one of 17 regional work groups throughout Iowa, now has a local food system director and coordinator. The new positions are currently housed under the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC). Eat Greater Des Moines is funded by the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC), the United Way of Central Iowa, and Hormel Foods through a Healthy Communities grant.
Aubrey Martinez, MPA, is new director for the Eat Greater Des Moines Food System Council and Linda Gobberdiel, RD, LD, is coordinator. Both of these positions grew out of the need to have ...
Prairie Meadows Awards $25,000 Community Betterment Grant to DMARC Food Pantry Network
The Des Moines Area Religious Council has been awarded a $25,000 Community Betterment Grant by Prairie Meadows in support of its Food Pantry Network. The food pantry program ensures access to affordable, nutritious food, while relieving food insecurity and hunger for the most vulnerable individuals in Greater Des Moines, including children and youth, single-parent families, senior citizens, and people with disabilities.
DMARC development director, Kristine Frakes, said, “Spring and summer are seasons of high need for food assistance. We are very grateful for this ...
DMARC Wins Award for Contributions to Public Health
Pictured at left is DMARC Board Member Caitlin Oponski as she accepts the 2013 Washington Freeman Peck Award from IMS Past President Robert Lee, MD, at the Iowa Medical Society's Annual Meeting in Iowa City on April 22, 2013.
Reprinted from the April 22, 2013 news release from the Iowa Medical Society.
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is the recipient of the Iowa Medical Society's 2013 Washington Freeman Peck Award, which is given annually to an organization that makes significant contributions to public health.
The Iowa Medical Society selected ...
“Ordinary Man” Extends Local Challenge, Increases Matching Gift to Benefit DMARC Food Pantry Network
Through a local “Challenge Hunger” campaign, self-proclaimed “ordinary man” Douglas M. Woods will provide 50 cents for every dollar donated to the Des Moines Area Religious Council Food Pantry Network from now through May 31, up to the first $25,000 in donations.
This challenge gift comes during a season when donations to the food pantry are historically low. Yet, the need for food assistance by families who struggle to make ends meet continues year-round.
“We are so grateful for Doug’s generosity,” said DMARC development director, Kristine Frakes. ...
Support DMARC through Birdies for Charity
Birdies for Charity is a fundraising program designed to give participants an opportunity to generate contributions based on the number of "birdies" made by Champions Tour players during The Principal Charity Classic®. With 790 birdies made in last year's tournament, Birdies for Charity raised nearly $296,000 for 92 local organizations serving youth populations.
Central Iowans have a great opportunity to support the Des Moines Area Religious Council and other programs benefiting young people by raising and contributing additional funds through Birdies for Charity. ...
Douglas M. Woods $10,000 “Challenge Hunger” Gift to Benefit the DMARC Food Pantry Network
Local philanthropist Douglas M. Woods has committed to provide 50 cents for every dollar donated to the DMARC Food Pantry Network during March and April 2013, up to the first $20,000 in donations.
This challenge gift comes during a season when donations to the food pantry are historically low. Yet, the need for food assistance by families who struggle to make ends meet continues year-round.
How can you help? During March and April, donations to the DMARC Food Pantry Network that are noted as “Challenge Hunger” gifts will be matched 50 cents for every dollar, up ...
Two Awards
Recognized by the United Way of Central Iowa for the 2012 LIVE UNITED Advocacy Award and by the Iowa Medical Society for the 2013 Washington Freeman Peck Award.
It is Holiday Time! Give a gift that lasts.
Ways to Give
Are you struggling to find the perfect gift for the holidays or another special occasion of your friend or family member? DMARC has solved your gift-giving dilemma for that special someone:
Purchase a Center for Social Ministry Calendar - this calendar contains all DMARC/MovetheFood events and giving schedules for congregations. It makes a great gift for your faith leader or congregational staff.
January Thaw 2013 is approaching, give a gift registration to a course of choice for only $25. Two courses for $50. This is a tradition in adult education of ...