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Support DMARC through Birdies for Charity | |
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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., May 28 - June 2 at the Wakonda Club in Des Moines. With 790 birdies made in last year's tournament, Birdies for Charity raised nearly $296,000 for 92 local organizations serving youth populations. DMARC will receive 100% of every donation collected on our behalf. To pledge, visit www.movethefood.org
or click here. Deadline for entries is May 30. |
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"Ordinary Man" Extends Local Challenge, Increases Matching Gift
to Benefit DMARC Food Pantry Network | |
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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.
Read more about Doug's motivation for this hunger challenge on the West Des Moines Patch/Huffington Post website: As Jesus Fed the Masses, Community Philanthropist Prays for Same from Hunger Challenge.
How can you help? From now through May 31, 2013, 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 $25,000 given.
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!
Click here for a Challenge Hunger flyer to post this announcement. Or download the media release here. |
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DMARC & the Feinstein Foundation are Teaming Up to Knock Out Hunger! |  |
Just so you know! DMARC & the Feinstein Foundation are Teaming Up to Knock Out Hunger!
From March 1, until April 30, consider designating a DMARC food pantry gift or pledge as a match for the Feinstein Challenge. Your support is needed and greatly appreciated!
In 2012, the Feinstein Challenge resulted in nearly $42,000 in donations, or about 56,000 meals, designated for the DMARC Food Pantry Network. Our goal this year is to reach $52,500 in donations; this will provide 70,000 meals for hungry families in greater Des Moines.
For details on donating or to print and post a flyer or bulletin insert for your congregation, go to our website. Questions? Contact Kristine Frakes at: 515-277-6969 or kfrakes@dmreligious.org.
The $1 Million Feinstein Grant is distributed to all eligible organizations proportionally, based on cash and food pledges and donations received as a part of the Feinstein Challenge.
Thank you for your ongoing support! |
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Downtown Farmer's
Market Needs you! |
We need volunteers Saturday mornings throughout the duration of the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market to work the MovetheFood booth in partnership with Meals from the Market. Volunteers will help educate potential donors and take donations of fresh produce to our warehouse truck for future delivery to our food pantry partners. In 2012, the Meals from the Market program contributed to our distribution of over 300,000 pounds of fresh produce to our 13 pantry sites, a key aspect to our focus on health. Click to learn more: Meals from the Market.
To sign up and volunteer, please go to the Meals from the Market volunteer website. Here are the Saturday dates volunteers are needed at the Downtown Farmers Market:
- May 11 & 25
- June 8 & 22
- July 6 & 20
- August 3, 17 & 31
- September 14 & 28
- October 12 & 26
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Volunteers Wanted: It's going to be a great summer! |  |
DMARC at the I-Cubs
The Iowa Cubs is supporting the DMARC Food Pantry Network by inviting fans to bring three food items in exchange for one general admission ticket. (General admission tickets may be upgraded to reserved grandstand for $3. Cash donations may be accepted but not for tickets.)
All dates are Sunday afternoon games. Gates open at 11:35am, volunteers are asked to arrive before that time and help collect the donations. Volunteers are given a free ticket to that day's game. DMARC warehouse staff will have the donation area set up and will deliver food to the warehouse at the close.
If you and your friends, family, or group would like to sign up to help accept donations for one of these dates, simply send an email to DMARC, or call our office at 515-277-6969 with the date you'd like to volunteer.
The Sunday afternoon home games include:
- April 14th 1:05 PM
- May 5th 1:05 PM
- May 19th 1:05 PM
- May 26th 1:05 PM
- June 2nd 1:05 PM
- June 9th 1:05 PM
- June 16th 1:05 PM
- July 14th 1:05 PM
- August 11th 1:05 PM
- August 25th 1:05 PM
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Des Moines Area Religious Council / MovetheFood
3816 36th Street, Suite 202
Des Moines, IA 50310-4710
515-277-6969
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 Greetings!
Do you need a gift idea for an early Mother's Day present?
Join us on our Beyond Beliefs Tour and visit four different sites showcasing unique architecture and the history of faith traditions. Experience interactive kiosks designed to familiarize your with a variety of different religions and promote religious tolerance.
Spring tours begin in May 2013! Call our DMARC office to get our special inaugural tour price for our Beyond Beliefs Tour for the May 7th date only.
Click here to see a brochure and registration form. Or to learn more and see photos of the 2013 tour locations, go to: www.dmreligious.org/faithtours.
~Sonya Dettmann, DMARC Tour Liaison |
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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".
Nominate Now for World Food
Prize Award
Nominations are being accepted for the $250,000 award to be formally presented in mid-October, on or around World Food Day. Nominations are sought of an individual or individuals having demonstrated exceptional achievement in any field involved in enhancing food production and distribution and increasing food availability and accessibility to those most in need. Please contact Judith Pim at jpim@worldfoodprize.org for more information. Nominations are due May 1, 2013.
Attend Workshop - ARAG Free Will Day
Hosted by Iowa Legal Aid, on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at the United Way Building, 1111 9th St., Des Moines, from 10am-6pm. FREE Legal aid prep for Simple Will, Living Will, Power of Attorney documents to Des Moines residents. Services provided by volunteer local attorneys at no cost. Pre-registration required.
Schedule appointment visit www.ARAGFREEWILL.com
email info@ARAGfreewill.com or call 515-280-7344.
LADOS Life after Death of Spouse
This DMARC-sponsored support group meets the second Sunday evening of each month at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 42nd St. & Ingersoll, Des Moines. For details, contact LADOS Coordinator Connie Coy-Walker at: 515-255-2229.
"Don't Eat Alone"
Any widowed person is welcome to join this group which meets every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., at the Olive Garden, 3600 Westown Pkwy., West Des Moines. This program is an offshoot of the LADOS (see above) support group for widowed people. For more information, contact LADOS Coordinator Connie Coy-Walker at: 515-255-2229
Join us on April 26 & 27 for Understanding the Impact of Relationships on the Functioning of Organizations.
Dr. Daniel V. Papero, senior faculty member at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Washington D.C., will speak in Des Moines on April 26 & 27. The title of his presentation is "Staying on Course: Using Systems Thinking for the Workplace". Sponsored by the Center for Life Counseling at Catholic Charities, the event on April 26, is from 8:30am-4:30pm, at Mercy College of Health Sciences, 9238 6th Ave., Des Moines cost $90, plus $10 for CEU credits. On April 27, it will be held from 8:30am-Noon, at the Catholic Pastoral Center, 601 Grand Ave. Cost $40, plus $10 for CEU. For more info, contact Debra Newman: 515-237-5045 or dnewman@dmdiocese.org. www.CenterforLifeCounseling.org
Pancake Breakfast for Malaria Prevention on April 27
United Methodist churches in the Des Moines metro area are partnering with the World Health Organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other national and international groups to eliminate malaria in Africa by the end of 2015.
The UMC churches are working together to put on a "Imagine No Malaria" pancake breakfast April 27, from 8am-Noon, at the FFA Enrichment Center, DMACC, Ankeny Campus. Cost is $4 for children and $6 for adults. For tickets, email: inmdesmoines@gmail.com.
Iowa Watercolor Society's Miniature Show
This art show opens at the St Mark Gallery, 1105 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines on May 17 with an artist's reception from 6:30-8 p.m. The exhibit runs from May 17-June 11; visit during regular gallery hours, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. As always, the gallery is free and open to the public.
Spring Organ Concert Series Continues through June
First United Methodist Church in Des Moines (1001 Pleasant St.) is hosting a Spring Organ concert series. All Concerts begin at 4pm, and parking is available on the north side of the church. For details, visit: www.dmfirstchurch.org. Here is the schedule and featured organist:
- Sunday, May 5: James Thrash, Director of music and worship at Germantown UMC in Tennessee. James previously served as organist and music director at First Methodist in Des Moines.
- Sunday June 2: Featuring First Church's own Dr. Tin-Shi Tam and Aaron Williams. Dr. Tam serves as director of Music and organist at First Church and is the university carillonneur and chair of the keyboard division at Iowa State University. Aaron serves as principal percussionist with the Des Moines and Quad City symphonies. This concert features Dave Maric's Borrowed Time and Jacob TerVeldhuis' The Shining City.
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Job / Volunteer / Training Opportunities
Iowa Religious Media Services Office Associate - Urbandale
Part-time position, initially 10 hours/week with potential for more. Duties: filling orders for resources (check in, check out, shipping) denomination and subscriber communications, client contact, assisting with various one-time projects as they arise. Standard office skills required, including competency with standard computer programs. Christian Education background desirable but not required. Send resume with cover letter or inquiries to IRMS Personnel Committee: jeanie-4816@yahoo.com. www.irms.org is a resource library for six mainline denominations in Iowa and upper midwest.
Community Youth Concepts - Des Moines
Two new full-time, salaried positions are open: the Development and Partner Relations Director will start in early June while the Volunteer Coordinator is expected to begin in late June. Both positions will receive a monthly stipend that can be used to offset benefits such as health insurance, AFLAC, and long-term disability. Both positions also qualify for the CYC retirement package, vacation, and sick leave. Pay will commensurate with experience. Resumes and cover letter, stating the position of interest, should be addressed to Amy Croll and can be sent via e-mail or snail mail to Amy Croll, Community Youth Concepts, 3826 1/2 Douglas Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50310. Deadline is May 3, 2013 at 4:30pm. Interviews to occur in mid-May.
Volunteers - DMARC Food Pantry Warehouse
We need help in our food pantry warehouse. Are you able to lift 40-50 lbs. and put produce in our warehouse cooler? We need volunteers after the Downtown Farmers Market to help unload produce from the Meals from the Market program each Saturday for 1 hour in the afternoon, at our 36th Street warehouse. Contact the Food Pantry Network Director Rebecca Whitlow, at 515-277-6969.
Rebuilding Together - AmeriCorps Position for August-July 2014
Starting in August - 11 months. Ambitious individual to fill CapacityCorps member position. Organize home repair projects, manage annual Rebuilding Day project, promote Community Leadership Program, recruit organizations to volunteer, build the new veteran program, collect and analyze applicant demographic data, work closely with neighborhood associations. Train in Washington D.C., a Martin Luther King Jr. week trip to a different city and opportunity to engage with other CapacityCorps members across the nation. Contact Beth Hicks at: bhicks@rebuildingdm.org.
Partnership Place Coordinator - Johnston Partnership, Johnston
The Johnston Partnership is seeking an individual with a passion for making a difference for families. Responsibilities include computer, record-keeping and management skills to manage operations. 50 hours per month. The Partnership Place Coordinator is an employee of Johnston Partnership. Pay negotiable at a rate of $10-12/hour based on qualifications.
Send letters of interest to Johnston Partnership, P.O. Box 975, Johnston, IA 50131 or to johnstonphc@gmail.com.
Youth Director - First Presbyterian Church, Grimes
Work with church youth groups and help direct Vacation Bible School and Sunday School programs. Time commitment is 10-20 hours per week, depending upon availability. If interested, contact the church office at grimespresbyterian@mchsi.com or 515-986-3720. All applicants subject to background check. |
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Faith Community News
Learn about the Sudan Humanitarian Crisis on May 9
Teachers and administrators from public and private schools are cordially invited to participate in a FREE Teachers' Workshop with UNI Graduate credit available for participation in the workshop + additional work*. Thursday, May 9, 2013, 4-7:30pm, at the Temple B'nai Jeshurun, 5101 Grand Ave., Des Moines. Conducted by the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education. Director is: Prof. Stephen Gaies. The wokshop includes:
- Speakers from the leadership of the Sudanese community in Des Moines
- The history of conflict in Sudan
- Discussion on how teaching about conflict and human rights issues can help meet curricular standards and objectives in Iowa middle and high schools
- Hear the personal stories of the Sudanese from different regions
- Learn about the instructional materials available
- Learn how you and your students can get involved in advocacy for justice and human rights
- Enjoy an authentic Sudanese dinner
To register or for additional information on the graduate credits, contact: Stephen.Gaies@uni.edu. Co-sponsors: UNI Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education, Jewish Community Relations Commission of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, Iowa Center for the Prevention of Genocide, United Nations Association of Iowa, HelpNuba.net, United Sudanese and South Sudanese Communities, Temple B'nai Jeshurun, Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Ames Jewish Congregation.
Final Comparison Project Discussion Panel is May 7th
Topic for the discussion is "Religious Responses to Suffering: A Comparative Discussion". Location and time is: Tuesday, May 7th, 7p.m. in Olin 101 on the Drake University campus. Panel guests include: Bradley Herling, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Marymount Manhattan; Jin Y. Park, Associate Professor of Philosophy, American University; John Thatamanil, Associate Professor of Theology & World Religions, Union Theological Seminary. The Comparison Project 2012-2013 explored a range of religious explanations of and responses to suffering through a variety of public programing-everything from lectures on the Holocaust and the Lakota Ghost Dance, to community and Drake inter-faith dialogues, to creative non-fiction readings by Above + Beyond Cancer trekkers. Our culminating event invites three philosophers of religion, of varying methodological commitments and religious expertises, to reflect on these responses to suffering, drawing tentative comparative, explanatory, and evaluative conclusions about them. |
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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 2013 Organization Advocate Award from the United Way of Central Iowa LIVE UNITED Annual Recognition Campaign, 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 2012, the DMARC Food Pantry
Network assisted about 33,000 people; nearly half who are children or youth..
MovetheFood is a DMARC-led initiative to address the entire food system in Greater Des Moines, building on more than 36 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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