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eVoice - October 21, 2014
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DMARC Food Pantry Network Sees Substantial Rise in Use
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From month to month in 2014, the Des Moines Area Religious Council's Food Pantry Network has seen double digit percentage increases in use compared to last year. In September of this year, DMARC food pantry partners served 4,738 families, a 19.1% increase compared to 3,978 families served in September 2013.
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In November 2010, during the midst of the recession, DMARC food pantry partners served a record 5,291 families. It can be expected that DMARC will set a new record high number of families served in November of this year. Doing so will only take a 9.0% increase in use, a number that has been exceeded in every single month of 2014.
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"Since January 2014, DMARC has served over 2,700 families that say they have never had to use a food pantry before," says DMARC Food Pantry Network Director Rebecca Whitlow. "This is a disturbing trend in our community when families that were previously able to make ends meet are now in need of food assistance."
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April was the only month in 2014 that did not see a double-digit percentage increase in the amount of families served: 9.4%. It did, however, see a 22.9% increase in the number of individuals served from April 2013.
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"I think it's important to know what's driving these kinds of numbers," says DMARC Executive Director Rev. Sarai Schnucker Rice. "Since cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) went into effect in November, the DMARC Food Pantry Network is serving more people in Greater Des Moines than ever before. In addition, as the economy improves and families make a little more money, they stop qualifying for SNAP even though they're still thousands of dollars away from a sustainable income."
DMARC is not alone in meeting the needs of the Greater Des Moines community. With only 2% of revenue coming from governmental sources, DMARC relies almost entirely on individuals, partner organizations, companies, and congregations to stock the Food Pantry Network warehouse shelves with food for our neighbors.
How can you help? Monetary donations always go farther in purchasing food, as it can be purchased in bulk for maximum savings. Organize a food drive at your church, school, or place of employment. Volunteer at the DMARC Food Pantry Network warehouse or one of 12 area partner food pantries. Visit dmreligious.org/donate for more information and ways to contribute to DMARC and the Food Pantry Network. We thank you for your help in making sure everyone in Greater Des Moines has something to eat!
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Des Moines Area Religious Council
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1435 Mulberry Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-277-6969
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DMARC does not require participation in religious services as a condition to receive assistance, and does not engage in religious proselytizing or counseling. DMARC practices non-discrimination in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations. All services and programs are provided to consumers without discrimination in regard to family size or structure, religious or cultural beliefs, race, gender, age,
or disability.
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Disclaimer: The Des Moines Area Religious Council makes every effort to provide accurate and useful general information in its eVoice, but accepts no liability for the use of the material by individuals or organizations. We gladly distribute information from member or partner individuals, congregations, and other agencies, but our inclusion of such material should not be construed as being sponsored or endorsed by DMARC. Undated general announcements and employment opportunities are included for one week unless requested to be included for a longer period of time.
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Central Iowa Survivors of Suicide Loss
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| If you or someone you know has lost a loved one to suicide, please come to a free special event on November 22 from 10 AM-3 PM at Des Moines University. Others who have had a suicide loss will come together with you to find comfort and gain understanding and share stories of healing and hope. This is the 11th year for the Central Iowa Survivors of Suicide Loss event. It's free, and there's a free lunch. Sponsored by Polk County Suicide Prevention Coalition. |
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Johnston Alternative Gift Market
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| The first annual Johnston Alternative Gift Market will be held Saturday, November 22, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at St. Paul Presbyterian Church, 6426 Merle Hay Road in Johnston. The market will offer holiday shoppers the opportunity to give gifts in honor of friends or relatives that help those in need locally and around the world. Honoring those who have enough by giving to those who have too little. |
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Not Your Ordinary Service Fair!
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The Center for Social Ministry is excited to host a Service Fair on Monday evening, November 10, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Catholic Pastoral Center.
The Service Fair is open to anyone in the community who would like to learn more about service opportunities or spiritual formation opportunities in the Des Moines area. The fair will feature 30-40 organizations that work with children, youth & adults; do direct service, advocacy, or spiritual formation; and others that address every issue from homelessness in Des Moines to U.S. hunger, to world peace, to spiritual formation! Find out how you and your family can help over the holidays or long-term! No need to RSVP, just plan to stop by and bring a friend!
Questions? Contact the Center for Social Ministry office at 515-782-3054 or centerforsocialministry@gmail.com.
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Mary Gottschalk: Bio-Ethics of Aging
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The U.S. population is aging. As this happens, more of our resources are devoted to healthcare. What does this mean for public policy? For social policy? How do we even define healthcare?
Mary Gottschalk will present an interactive discussion about healthcare in America over three sessions. Each session is a stand-alone discussion, so that you may come to any or all. Mary, an author and educator, has been educating all ages about these on-going issues. She currently teaches at Senior College of Greater Des Moines.
When: 4:00-5:30 p.m., October 26, November 2 and 9
Where: Central Presbyterian Church, 39th and Grand Ave, Fellowship Hall
Sponsors: Central Presbyterian Church, Unity Church
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Vermeer Conference: Scott Cormode
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Vermeer Charitable Foundation and Leadership Alliance is pleased to invite you to a conference with Dr. Scott Cormode from Fuller Theological Seminary.
On Wednesday, October 29, at 7:00 p.m. at the Vermeer Global Pavilion in Pella, Dr. Cormode will be presenting "Cultivating Agile Leaders." This event is free and open to the public, no RSVP required.
On Thursday, October 30, Dr. Cormode will be presenting "Cultivating Change." This event requires registration. Cost is $25 if postmarked by Tuesday, October 21. After October 21, registration cost will be $35. For more information, visit Vermeer.com.
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Who Are We?
The Des Moines Area Religious Council is an interfaith organization with a core membership of over 130 congregations from four faith traditions. Recipient of the 2012 LIVE UNITED Advocate Award from the United Way of Central Iowa, DMARC provides a common means of responding to basic human needs and a context for interfaith dialogue.
The DMARC Food Pantry Network consists of 12 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 eight sites in Des Moines. In 2013, the DMARC Food Pantry Network assisted more than 34,000 individuals in the greater Des Moines community; half of whom are children and youth.
MovetheFood is a DMARC-led initiative to address the entire food system in Greater Des Moines, building on nearly 40 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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Disclaimer: The Des Moines Area Religious Council makes every effort to provide accurate and useful general information in its eVoice, but accepts no liability for the use of the material by individuals or organizations. We gladly distribute information from member or partner individuals, congregations, and other agencies, but our inclusion of such material should not be construed as being sponsored or endorsed by DMARC. Undated general announcements and employment opportunities are included for one week unless requested to be included for a longer period of time.
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