eVoice - November 3, 2015
'Meals from the Market' Surpasses Seasonal Goal
Saturday, October 31, was the last Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market of the season, and also the last day of the year for the Meals from the Market program.

This year, Meals from the Market set out to collect 35,000 lbs. of produce from market vendors. The program met that goal about a month early, on October 3.

In total, Meals from the Market collected 42,484 lbs. of fresh produce to donate to the DMARC Food Pantry Network this season! That's the equivalent of $147,092 in donations.

DMARC would like to thank the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market and Great Western Bank for their support of the Meals from the Market program.

Check out some photos from the last Farmers Market of the season below. Volunteers even dressed up for Halloween while helping out!
St. Francis and Dowling Youth Hold Beggar's Night Food Drive
A huge thanks goes out to St. Francis of Assisi and Dowling Catholic High School students who went Trick 'r Treating for nonperishable goods on Beggar's Night. These youth collected 4,053 food items and $163 in monetary donations. Awesome work everyone!

Do you have an idea for a food drive you'd like to try? Contact Red Barrel/Food Drive Coordinator John Robinson, jrobinson@dmarcunited.org or 515-277-6969 x18.
November's Donation of the Month: Thanksgiving Dinner
November's Donation of the Month is Thanksgiving Dinner. The month of November is consistently the highest month of pantry use in the DMARC Food Pantry Network, and there are plenty of food items we are in need of:
  • potatoes and sweet potatoes
  • green beans, carrots, onions, and mixed vegetables
  • pumpkin and squash
  • apple sauce, cranberries, and other fruits
  • supplemental food items for Thanksgiving such as stuffing mix and gravy
While we always have a demand for canned food, why not focus on fresh this Thanksgiving?

We gladly accept and distribute donations of fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, frozen turkeys, and other meat items throughout our Food Pantry Network.
And remember, we are able to purchase more with your dollars than you ever could in the grocery store.


Thank You For Your Continued Support!
We simply could not feed those who rely on our services without your help.
Vote to End Hunger Rally, November 7
In light of Pope Francis' address to Congress, where he said, "The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts," Bread for the World President Rev. David Beckmann and Bishop Richard Pates of the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines announce a ecumenical rally to encourage Iowans to make hunger a priority issue in the presidential campaign.

The event will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8 at Sisam Arena on the campus of Grand View University in Des Moines.

"We can make progress against hunger in the world, and we certainly don't have to put up with widespread hunger in the U.S.A.," Rev. Beckmann said. Bishop Pates said, "It is our expectation that those who participate will learn about the realities of hunger in Iowa and overseas and be mobilized for future action."

The rally will feature Rev. Beckmann and Bishop Pates as speakers in addition to a plenary educational session inspiring participants to make hunger a priority issue in advance of the Feb. 1 party caucuses in Iowa. Supporters of the event include the Northeast and Southeast Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Additional supporters will be announced soon.
RSVP
Des Moines Area Religious Council

1435 Mulberry Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

 

515-277-6969
Thanksgiving Dinner
  • green beans
  • carrots
  • onions
  • mixed veggies
  • potatoes
  • sweet potatoes
  • pumpkin
  • squash
  • apple sauce
  • cranberries
  • fresh fruit
  • stuffing mix
  • gravy 
Community Calendar
November 3

November 5

November 7


November 8

November 15

November 17

November 19-20

November 21

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 makes every effort to provide accurate and useful general information in its eVoice, but accepts no liability for the use of materials by individuals or organizations. We gladly promote events and programs from partners that are connected to our mission, and related to the topic of hunger, poverty, interfaith relations, religious education or the arts. 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.
7th Annual Hope for the Hungry
The 7th and final Hope for the Hungry Conference will be held this Saturday, November 7, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Des Moines at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. For more information, visit hopeforthehungry.blogspot.com.
Alternative Gift Market
Sunday, November 8, 12-2 pm
Des Moines Intentional Eucharistic Community
3300 University Avenue, Des Moines

Start your Christmas shopping early and discover unique gifts that support social justice! Hand-woven rugs from Maloy Weaving, scarves from Voices for Creative Non-Violence/Afghan Volunteers for Peace, Don Justo fairly-traded coffee, items from Art for El Salvador, and many other things will be available.
Job Opening at Urbandale Food Pantry
The Urbandale Food Pantry is looking for an operations assistant to check in clients using the ServicePoint computer program. This position requires the ability to work with a diverse clientele in a compassionate and dignified manner.

Hours are Monday-Thursday 1:30 - 6:45 P.M. and Saturdays from 7:45 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. For more information, please visit www.urbandalefoodpantry.org.

Deadline for applications is December 1, 2015.
How Do We Become Agents of Mercy?
On Sunday, November 15, from 2:30-5:00 p.m., Jack Jezreel, President & Founder of JustFaith Ministries, will present a workshop on Pope Francis' vision of a mission-oriented Church at Sacred Heart Church in West Des Moines. Jack is a dynamic speaker who will not only inspire and energize those who attend, but he will also provide tools to help you and your church community delve deeper into our life of faith, our call to love deeply, and the courage to make a difference in the lives of our sisters and brothers in need.

This workshop is a great way to kick-off the "Year of Mercy" and will also include information about the JustFaith program.  There is no fee for the workshop; only a freewill offering will be taken.  For more information, contact Susie Tierney at the Center for Social Ministry, 515-782-3054 or centerforsocialministry@gmail.com.
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 2014, the DMARC Food Pantry Network assisted more than 41,000 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 materials by individuals or organizations. We gladly promote events and programs from partners that are connected to our mission, and related to the topic of hunger, poverty, interfaith relations, religious education or the arts. 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.