eVoice - June 2, 2015
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month!
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month! To celebrate this fact, we've made our Donation of the Month for June fresh fruits and vegetables! 

You don't have to garden to donate fresh produce to DMARC, it's as easy as buying a bag of apples, oranges or potatoes! We are equipped with a cooler to hold perishable goods. Please donate produce before prime ripeness, as we need a few days to get the food out into the Food Pantry Network system.
Host a Food Drive for the DMARC Food Pantry Network
This can sculpture was completed by members of Mercy College of Health Sciences for their
can sculpture food drive and Superbowl event on January 20, 2014.
Host a drive for the DMARC Food Pantry Network at your workplace, congregation or school! Raise funds and gather food and/or diaper donations to help out those in need in Greater Des Moines. We're here to help you every step of the way!

You can get creative with your food drive, too! In the past we've seen can sculpture contests, mini-golf courses, "casual day" at work when you donate, competitive team food drives, and more! In what creative new way will you raise food donations?
AmeriCorps VISTA Position Open at CROSS Ministries
CROSS Ministries is currently seeking applications for a full time AmeriCorps VISTA member. Applications are being received through June 15.

The position includes building capacity by expanding CROSS' ability to generate funds, volunteers, in-kind support, and community partnerships, in order to reach and enable more economically disadvantaged people.

Plan and implement fundraising and community engagement activities, including visits to organizations, particularly faith communities, to raise awareness and garner support. Plan service projects that engage members of those communities in the anti-poverty mission.

Explore potential connections with local institutions for higher education for publicity and service-learning opportunities. Development and expansion of the CROSS funding stream, including the review and submission of proposals for improvements to the fundraising plan, identify resources for fundraising, support the expansion of the donor base and increase in overall giving.

If interested, contact Michelle Parsons, mparsons@westpres.org or 515-274-1534.
Volunteer to Conduct Surveys in Food Pantries

DMARC is working with professors at Iowa State University to conduct a survey regarding food deserts, and we need your help! 

 

We need to conduct 350 surveys altogether, and are looking for 35 volunteers to help us do so from mid-June to mid-July. Volunteers will conduct surveys at food pantries in the DMARC Food Pantry Network.

 

Survey respondents will receive a $5 gift card. Compensation is also available for those who volunteer to conduct the surveys. 

 

A training session will be provided for volunteers, date to be determined. 

 

If interested, please contact DMARC Executive Director Sarai Rice at sarai@dmarcunited.org or 515-277-6969. Thank You!
Des Moines Area Religious Council

1435 Mulberry Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

 

515-277-6969
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Community Calendar
June 5-7


June 6

June 7


June 8

June 14

June 16

June 20

June 28

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.
Community Announcements
Disclaimer: The Des Moines Area Religious Council is a membership organization of congregations with differing views. It gladly distributes information from member or partner individuals, congregations, and other agencies, but inclusion of such material should not be construed as sponsorship or endorsement by DMARC. It 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. Undated general announcements and employment opportunities are included for one week unless requested to be included for a longer period of time. Approval of this disclaimer by the Board of Directors pending.
37th Annual Greek Food Fair
The Greek Orthodox Church of St. George is once again hosting its annual Greek Food Fair! The fair lasts Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7. The event is held at the church, located at 1110 35th Street in Des Moines.
Janet Lahr Lewis to Keynote MFSA's Awards Event

Mark your calendars for MFSA's Awards Event on Saturday, June 6th, at 5:00 p.m., with keynote speaker Janet Lahr Lewis, recently returned from Bethlehem, where she was a missionary for many years. The title of her address is, "Occupation: What It Is, What We Can Do About It, and Why We Should Care."

 

The event will be held in Veterans Memorial Hall, Level 3, in Des Moines. Social Action Awards will be presented to Rev. Dr. Larry Sonner and Bishop Julius C. Trimble. Tickets are $25, and include a box lunch. Contact Rita Carter at 515-979-0605, or at ritaac@mchsi.com. If you wish to have your tickets mailed to you ahead of time, please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope.
Annual March for Peace and Social Justice
The March will be held on Monday, June 8th, at 12:10 p.m. It will begin at the south end of Hy-Vee Hall, and proceed to Hansen Triangle, Watson Powell, Jr. and 2nd Ave. This year's theme is "Therefore Go: Be Peacemakers." Co-sponsors include MFSA, Board of Church and Society, Board of Global Ministries, Board of Laity, UMW, COSROW and Do No Harm. Bishop Julius Trimble and Mayor Frank Cownie will speak during the brief prayer service.
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.
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.