DES MOINES, IA (March 13, 2013)- Beginning today, local philanthropist Douglas M. Woods has committed to provide 50 cents for every dollar donated to the Des Moines Area Religious Council 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.

"We are so grateful for Doug's generosity," said DMARC development director, Kristine Frakes. "We are hopeful that this "Challenge Hunger" gift will also help boost awareness that 30,000 of our Polk County neighbors require help in meeting their short-term food needs each year," she continued.

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 to a total of $20,000 given. As part of the Challenge, your $10 becomes $15, $50 equals $75, and so on. During the "Challenge Hunger" campaign, a $10 gift will help DMARC provide 20 meals for a family.

Donate online or mail your "Challenge Hunger" donation to DMARC, 3816 36th Street, Suite 202, Des Moines IA 50310. Phone donations are also welcome at 515-277-6969.

Thank you for your support!

MovetheFood is a DMARC-led initiative to address the entire food system in Greater Des Moines, building on more than 36 years of food assistance work, catalyzing fresh generations, and engaging new constituencies to further support a vision for a day when everyone in Polk County has enough to eat.

The DMARC Food Pantry Network is the largest in Iowa, made up of a centralized warehouse and 13 partnering distribution sites. The DMARC Food Pantry network helps meet short-term food needs when families do not have enough to eat. Once each month, families can receive a free, four-day supply of nutritionally balanced food. In 2012, DMARC assisted more than 33,000 individuals in the Greater Des Moines community; half of whom were children and youth.

DMARC is the acronym for the Des Moines Area Religious Council, 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.

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