eVoice - December 29, 2015

This year, the DMARC Food Pantry Network has served more families and individuals than ever before in our nearly 40 years of emergency food assistance work.

In March of this year, Polk County River Place Food Pantry opened its doors. The new addition to the DMARC Food Pantry Network quickly became one of the most visited partner pantry locations in all of the network.

This June, we served 5,652 families comprised of 14,785 individuals. Both numbers were new all-time records for people served in a single month.
In July, we broke the record of families served in a single month again, serving 5,759 families and 14,701 individuals.

Due to these large increases in need, and the strain causes on our resources, the decision was made to move from providing a 4-day supply of food once per month to a 3-day supply, beginning in August.

The months of September and October again broke usage records for the number of families and individuals served by the DMARC Food Pantry Network.

In November, which is consistently the largest month of usage for our Food Pantry Network, we served 16,281 individuals, comprising 6,305 families. This is an increase of more than 1,000 families served (24.5%) compared to the previous November.
Our work this year has confirmed what we already knew: too many people in Des Moines are still struggling to put enough food on their table. Over 6,000 families, your neighbors, rely on the DMARC Food Pantry Network for a little help to get by every month.
Without the help of you, our community members, we would never have been able to provide enough food for all those seeking food assistance. 

Thank You for Your Generous Support!
It's Not Too Late for a Year-End Gift to DMARC!
It's not too late to send in a year-end gift to DMARC! We rely on countless individuals, congregations, corporations, partners, and other groups to support us in our effort to ensure everyone in Greater Des Moines has enough to eat.

You may mail your monetary donation to the Des Moines Area Religious Council, 1435 Mulberry Street, Des Moines, IA 50309. You can also make a secure online donation, or learn more about other donation options on our website.

Questions? Call our office at 515-277-6969, or email info@dmarcunited.org.
DMARC Executive Director Sarai Rice Talks Iowa Interfaith Exchange with Mediacom Newsleaders
DMARC's Executive Director Rev. Sarai Schnucker Rice took a few minutes to sit down with Mediacom Newsleaders to discuss our upcoming interfaith gathering, the Iowa Interfaith Exchange.
"Here in Iowa, and really around the country, we have always been very tolerant of each other's faith traditions," said Sarai Rice. "Faith traditions have always been under attack, but what we founded this country based on is religious tolerance and embrace, and understanding of each other's faith traditions, and that's what we're hoping to accomplish."

The short interview highlighted the Iowa Interfaith Exchange, and also talked about religious diversity and tolerance in Iowa.

"Understanding leads to tolerance, and misunderstanding and confusion leads to violence. And we don't need more violence in this country," said Rice.


Sunday, January 31, 2016, 12:30 PM
Drake University, Olmsted Center
We hope that you will be able to join us for this unique opportunity to make diverse new connections, sample new traditions and practices, and learn more about Iowa's compelling religious history. Learn more and register online at:
Des Moines Area Religious Council

1435 Mulberry Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

 

515-277-6969
Canned Vegetables
  • low sodium
Community Calendar
January 5

January 31

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.
Urbandale Food Pantry Needs You!
Beginning January 4, the Urbandale Food Pantry will be open Monday - Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 8:00 a.m. to noon. In order to fill the additional shifts, more volunteers are needed, especially for the following times:
Tuesday          All shifts
Wednesday     3:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday        3:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday         7:45 - 10:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. - noon
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit urbandalefoodpantry.org to complete and submit a volunteer application.
Growing Cities Screening, January 5
Eat Greater Des Moines is partnering with Viva East Bank to host a screening of Growing Cities at Hiatt Middle School, 1430 E University Avenue, in an effort to continue learning and exploring local food growth both in the East Bank neighborhoods and overall Des Moines metro. The film is 58 minutes and will be shown on January 5 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
UCAN Hiring Executive Director
The Urbandale Community Action Network (UCAN) is seeking a community-focused, purpose-driven, and results-oriented leader to serve as their Executive Director. Responsibilities broadly include the planning, directing, and general coordination of all UCAN programmatic activities across the various human services, community relations, events and communication coordination, and general program management activities required to operate a leading service organization in Urbandale, Iowa. Apply by January 15, 2016.
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.