Our DMIEC community works to address food insecurity issues in the Des Moines metro area via a special collection for the DMARC Emergency Food Pantries on the fourth Sunday of every month.

The need is real. 2022 saw a 53% increase in new pantry users over 2021.  1 in 6 City of Des Moines residents used a food pantry in 2022.  The DMARC pantries served over 53,000 individuals in 2022.

And that need has not subsided. The combination of inflated food prices, an end to COVID benefits, and lingering pandemic hardships is driving more people to seek assistance at the pantry.  DMARC experienced a record-breaking number of people seeking food assistance in any March — 19,410 visitors.  Almost 1,500 of those were first-time visitors — also a record-breaking amount.  DMARC saw 1,515 people come in to receive assistance on April 4 — the second highest number ever in the non-profit’s nearly 50-year existence.  The highest day? May 3 of this year. For recent info about local food needs and services, please click here.

For more information, please visit the DMARC Food Pantries website https://www.dmarcunited.org/food/
Read DMARC’s most recent quarterly newsletter here.

Two ways to donate:

Via special envelopes available at DMIEC on in-person fourth Sundays. Please write checks to “DMARC,” include a note with/on your check indicating that you are part of the DMIEC community, put the check in the envelope, and put the envelope in the collection basket.

Send donation checks directly to DMARC. Please write checks to “DMARC” and mail to DMARC at its *new address*, 100 Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA 50315. Please include a note with your check indicating that you are part of the DMIEC community.