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Endow Iowa Offers Tax Benefits to Our Donors | |
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Make your year-end gift to DMARC go further! Consider providing an endowment gift that will ensure DMARC programs and services now and in the future, while also qualifying you for added tax benefits. Your gift made to the Des Moines Area Religious Council Endow Iowa Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines may qualify you to receive Endow Iowa Tax Credits.
The Endow Iowa program allows donors to receive a 25% Iowa tax credit in addition to the usual federal charitable income tax deductions for certain charitable gifts. Credits are limited and are issued on a first-come/first-available basis. Contact Kristine Frakes today at 515-277-6969 to learn more. |
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Calendar Proceeds to benefit DMARC
The Center for Social Mininstry (CSM); an organization offering poverty awareness and justice education programming is featuring CSM and 12 nonprofit organizations in the Des Moines Area including DMARC!
These beautiful calendars are professionally done and would make fabulous holiday gifts for friends/family!
DMARC will receive 20% of the proceeds for calendars sold by DMARC, call 515-277-6969.
Cost: $15.00 for one
$25.00 for two
$10.00 each for 3+ |
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Food-Based Fundraiser Ideas for the DMARC Food Pantry Network | |
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- Adults pledge a certain amount per day ($1, for example) for every day that a Sunday School child eats five servings of fruits and vegetables. Ask for pictures of the children eating their fruits/vegies in order to create an honor wall.
- Once/month, prepare salads, entrees, etc. in the church kitchen and sell to members.
- Host a silent auction of special dinners or food baskets created by the members.
- Hold a special fund drive to buy turkeys for pantry clients. Create target goals that, if reached, will trigger once in a lifetime events. For example, if the congregation raises $1,000, the pastor will dress up as a turkey for church one Sunday. (The choir could dress up as all the fixings!)
- Hold a special food drive for the choice pantry where everyone brings a can or box or bag of their favorite healthy food-bags of apples, salad mix, grapes, oranges, grapefruit, carrots, salsa, dried beans, gluten-free cereal, or even condiments, spices, etc.
- Have a veg-off, like a bake-off, but with competition around the best vegetable dish.
- Have a pasta-thon, trying to collect enough pasta to lay the boxes end-to-end all the way around the church or up the aisles or to the nearest food pantry.
- Host a big dress-up night during which every "family" could have a family portrait taken dressed as their favorite foods. (Would require some advance preparation to create or rent costumes.) |
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Des Moines Area Religious Council
3816 36th Street, Suite 202
Des Moines, IA 50310-4710
515-277-6969
www.dmreligious.org
www.movethefood.org
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Greetings!
What a joyous and hectic warehouse we witnessed yesterday. The third Sunday of the month (Nov. 18) is "Food Pantry Sunday" at most congregations in Greater Des Moines. This means that the third Monday is usually busy in the office and warehouse, with volunteers bringing in donated food items and cash donations from the worship offerings.
The Des Moines Area Religious Council is deeply grateful for all donations. Thanks to you, others will not go hungry for Thanksgiving.
Blessings to you during this holiday time!
Note: The DMARC office and warehouse are closed this Thursday & Friday, Nov. 22 & 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday, so our staff and volunteers can spend time with their families. |
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 Community Calendar
We are pleased to point you to the community calendar on the DMARC website. You may access it at any time. Feel free to upload your own events! Just click on "add an event".
Two pianos are available for free!
Contact Ashworth Road Baptist Church, 5300 Ashworth Rd., West Des Moines, at 515-223-0914 or info@ashworthroad.com.
Attend The Comparison Project's Final Event for 2012!
"Religious Responses to Suffering: An Interfaith Dialogue" is on Thursday, Nov. 29th, 7pm, at Tifereth Israel Synagogue on 924 Polk Blvd. in Des Moines. The dialogue features five representatives of Des Moines area religious communities:
- Rabbi Steven Edelman-Blank, rabbi of the Tifereth Israel Synagogue;
- Howard Croweagle, American Indian advisor to the governor of Iowa and president of Central Iowa Circle of First Nations;
- Shuji Valdene Mintzmyer, an ordained Soto priest at the Des Moines Zen Center;
- Baljit Navroop, an executive member of Iowa Sikh Association;
- Ako Abdul-Samad, the Iowa State Representative from the 66th District
The topic of the dialogue, religious responses to suffering, provides for an exploration of how the religions of the world both explain and empower responses to suffering. The event is free and open to the public, and includes a catered reception afterwards. T
Council, and Cultivating Compassion: The Richard Deming Foundation. Email us: comparisonproject@drake.edu.
Check out our website.
'Like' us on Facebook
Mental Health First Aid Training is November 29-30
Polk County Health Services, in conjunction with the Polk County Suicide Prevention Coalition, presents a training on Mental Health First Aid. Like regular First Aid, this program equips individuals to provide basic care and support to those in crises. Participants will learn about various mental disorders and a method for providing direct assistance and determining when professional help is needed. Participants must take the entire 12-hour course to receive certification.
- Thursday, November 29th, 9am-4pm
- Friday, November 30th, 9am-4pm
This training is at the Des Moines Re-Church, 2900 Justin Dr., in Urbandale. There is a 1-hour break for lunch each day. The complete course includes these two sessions. Both sessions must be taken. Faith leaders (clergy, staff, volunteers, youth coordinators, etc.), are encouraged to attend, however the training is open to anyone. To register, email karen@pchsia.org or call 515-243-0867 to register. $25 fee (check or cash) covers the cost of materials.
"Peace in the Heart" Feast of Holy Innocents Prayer Service for Peace is Friday, December 28
This ecumenical service is one of a series organized over the last several years by the Des Moines Area Area Ecumenical Committee for Peace. "Peace in the Heart" is the theme of this year's service. We will raise our prayers, and strengthen our resolve to end war in Afghanistan, prevent war against Iran, seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Palestine/Israel and insist that "war is not the answer." The service will include prayers, music/song, and a performance by the Gateway Dance Theater. The service will take place at 7pm on Dec. 28, at First Christian Church, 2500 University Ave., Des Moines.
he Comparison Project s an experimental effort in a philosophy of religion that is historically grounded and religiously diverse. Each year it organizes a series of scholar lectures, practitioner dialogues, and comparative reflections on a particular religious topic or problematic. It's 2012-13 theme is religious responses to suffering. The Comparison Project is generously supported by the Drake University Humanities Center, Humanities Iowa, the Medbury Fund, the Drake University Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship, the Des Moines Area Religious |
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 2012-2013
Applications will be taken starting November 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. This program is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Iowa Department of Human Rights/DCAA, and has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs.
Red Rock Area Community Action Program, Inc. Rural Polk County Office is located at 406 SW School St., Suite 201; Ankeny, Iowa 50023, and will be taking applications from November 1, 2012 through April 30, 2013 (October 1 for households with elderly/disabled member). Applicants will need to furnish some form of identification, a copy of their most recent heating and electric bill, telephone bill, and proof of all household members' gross income for the past three months or for the past calendar year.
The assistance is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and other factors.
Eligibility for participation is established according to the following federal income guidelines:
INCOME MAXIMUMS
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LIHEAP |
LIHEAP | |
Household |
3-Month Gross |
Annual Gross | |
Size |
Income |
Income | |
1 |
$ 4,189 |
$ 16,755 | |
2 |
5,674 |
22,695 | |
3 |
7,159 |
28,635 | |
4 |
8,644 |
34,575 | |
5 |
10,129 |
40,515 | |
6 |
11,614 |
46,455 |
For households with more than six members, add $1,485 / $5,940 for each additional member.
* Medical Waiver: Households who are over LIHEAP regular income guidelines may be eligible for LIHEAP benefits through our medical waiver component. The medical expenses must be documented, paid, and non-reimbursable. For more information please contact your local community action agency. |
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Adult Ed Classes at Temple B'Nai Jeshurun
Rabbi David Kaufman will teach two, 3-week long courses. The first course is entitled The Growth of Reform and will meet, November 6, 13, and 20, from 7-8:30 p.m. You will learn about the Reform movement during the 19th Century and the various prayer books used in Reform congregations. The second course is Modern Reform and will meet November 27, December 4 & 11, from 7-8:30pm. Rabbi Kaufman will examine the changes in the Reform movement over the past century. They will also look at the Reform movement's liturgy up through the newest prayer book.
No Room at the Inn
This unique event was started in 2004. Since then, thousands of people have viewed this inspirational display of nativity sets every year. This three-day exposition with over 300 nativities is free, and handicap accessible. Join us, Nov. 30th, at 10am-5pm and Dec 1 and 2, from 12:30-5pm, at Valley United Methodist Church, 4201 Ashworth Rd., West Des Moines. For more info, contact 515-225-8128 or office@valleyumc.org. A free-will offering will go to Habitat for Humanity.
First Circle Friends Offers Caregivers Respite
Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is proud to introduce a new program to the Des Moines area. First Circle Friends is a group respite program for people with early to mid-stage memory loss, and is run in partnership between LSI and area congregations. Participants are currently being accepted for this program developed by Lutheran Services in America (LSA) and Lyngblomsten in Minnesota. First Circle Friends will be held the first and third Thursday of each month from 10am to 3pm, at Grace Lutheran Church, 3010 52nd St., Des Moines, IA 50310, beginning Nov. 1, 2012. If you are the caregiver of a loved one experiencing memory loss, or know of a family who you feel could benefit from this program, contact Kara Ullestad, First Circle Friends coordinator, at: 515-271-7408. First Circle Friends presents a day of renewal for people experiencing early- to mid-stage memory loss - offering them a variety of stimulating activities with a specially trained group of volunteers to engage their minds and bodies. While their loved ones experiencing memory loss enjoy a safe and engaging time, caregivers can do errands, visit with a friend, and/or rest in order to replenish their energies for their role of caregiving. After a fun time with peers for the participants and a restful break for their caregivers, both can go back home to their daily routines feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
IRMS is Meeting the Hunger Challenge
The Iowa Religious Media Services is an ecumenical multi-media resource center and lending library supported by six mainline denominations in Iowa and the Upper Midwest.
has a number of excellent resources on the topic of hunger. A few are listed below.
- Food and Faith (DV758) (Young Adult-Adult)
- A Peace of Bread: Faith, Food and the Future (DV1083) (Sr. High-Adult)
- A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor (DV1060) (Young Adult-Adult)
- Journey to Awareness (DV998) (Jr. High-Young Adult)
- Abwenzi Means Friend: A Child's Exploration of the Millennium (BK1506) (Lower Elem-Upper Elem)
- When Did I See You Hungry? (DV484) (Jr. High-Adult)
- Exodus from Hunger: We Are Called to Change the Politics of Food (BK1705) (Young Adult-Adult)
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Job / Volunteer / Training Opportunities
Multiple Job Opportunities - Candeo, Johnston
Currently looking for part time,full time or less than 20 hrs.
- Supported Community Livings Instructor
- Instructors of Brain Injury Service
- Mental Health Instructor
- Overmight Asleep/and or Awake Instructor
- Team Leader
- Habilitation Team Leader
- Employment Consultant
- Service Coordinator
For more information contact: Erin Zirkelbach, HR Coordinator
9550 White Oak Lane, Johnston, IA 50131, 515-259-8110 x 2022.
Senior Companions - Visiting Nurse Services, Des Moines
Earn extra money up to $200-$400 + every month.
If you are 55 years old or older, able to serve 15 hours /week, open to providing friendly, one-to-one visits to homebound infividuals, making an income at or below $22,340 or more, able to drive (not always mandatory) and a resident of Polk or Warren County. Tax-free hourly stipend, meal reimbursement, holiday and vacation pay, initial training, annual physical and supplemental accident/liability insurance while on duty. Contact the Senior Companion Program Director Julia Tiedeman, 515-558-9957.
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| Who are we?
The Des Moines Area Religious Council is an interfaith organization with a core membership of about 140 congregations from four faith traditions. Recipient of the 2010 Aurora Award from The Des Moines Register, DMARC provides a common means of responding to basic human needs and a context for interfaith dialogue.
The DMARC Food Pantry Network consists of 13 separate pantry sites, a centralized warehouse, and numerous community partners. It is the largest food pantry network in Iowa. Pantry sites are located in West Des Moines, Ankeny, Johnston, Urbandale, and nine sites in Des Moines. In 2011, the DMARC Food Pantry
Network assisted over 33,000 people..
MovetheFood is a DMARC-led initiative to address the entire food system in Greater Des Moines, building on more than 35 years of the Food Pantry Network, catalyzing fresh generations, and engaging new constituencies to further support a vision for a day when everyone in Polk County has enough to eat. |
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