Featured News

DMARC's Fourth Annual Soup Supper
29 Jan 10

Mapping an End to Hunger
10 Jan 10
 
Launched in September 2009, the primary goal of Mapping an End to Hunger is to expand beyond the historic concept of providing hunger relief and to build a systemic community model that is targeted to end the problem of hunger in Polk County.
 
Why now? While food insecurity rates have been decreasing in Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and South Dakota since 1998, food insecurity has increased in Iowa. As we approach 2010, there are more people experiencing hunger in Greater Des Moines than ever before.
 
DMARC and other charitable organizations have long served the community through neighborhood pantry sites and services with the intent to provide social assistance and to fill service gaps that are not met through government programs. Despite long-term and sometimes heroic efforts, however, the existing ad-hoc approach and loosely-structured emergency food delivery system in Polk County has inherent limitations, and is ill-equipped to bear the burgeoning burden of food insecurity and hunger.
 
What will we do? Phase 1 of the projectwill create an electronically-accessible food security map of the Greater Des Moines community. The project will result in an accurate snapshot of the current landscape of the food “system” by assembling all available information on food sources for low-income families, as well as new, interview-based and dynamic information from consumers about food acquisition and use patterns. The resulting map will facilitate system-wide dialog and planning and will serve as a catalyst for the creation of a coordinated, community-wide response to hunger.
 
How will this project make a difference? Project results and findings will address Healthy Polk 2020 community priorities as follows:
  • Devote additional resources to prevention and wellness. The comprehensive food system map and related data will serve as additional prevention and wellness resources, providing a publicly available dataset to locate virtually all major food sources. In addition to revealing the status of the existing food “system”, the project will serve as a catalyst for food system reform and reconfiguration intended to improve the long-term health and wellness of the community.
  • Empower more people to take responsibility for maintaining their health. The map and related educational materials and outreach efforts, will serve as powerful resources for consumers, empowering them to take responsibility for maintaining their health – particularly through improved access and awareness about resources and tools available to obtain nutritionally adequate foods.
  • Ensure access to affordable, healthy food for everyone. Efforts to educate consumers about the importance of eating more nutritious food will fail if such foods are not affordable and available. In many low-income neighborhoods it is virtually impossible to find fresh, nutritious food. Project findings have potential to inform and influence community development and planning that will remove barriers and enhance accessibility to affordable and adequate food supplies.
 
Visit www.dmreligious.org to view Mapping an End to Hunger project updates and for a list of partnering community resources, planners, food system experts, and funders. To learn how you or your organization can support this project, contact Kristine Frakes, Development Director, at 515-277-6969 or kfrakes@dmreligious.org.
The Pet Pantry
17 Dec 09

A loved pet should never lose his or her home just because money is tight. This program provides pet food and supplies to families experiencing financial difficulties, thereby reducing the number of animals surrendered to shelters.

We stock our shelves with food and supplies (including basic medicines) donated by caring individuals like yourself. If you’d like to make a donation, arrange delivery by calling 877/570-PETS or emailing info@thepetprojectmidwest.org.

 

Aprons to Feed the Hungry
11 Dec 09

DMARC supporter Lynn Howard like to sew, and this holiday season, she had an idea.  She made aprons for friends, family, and more and donated the proceeds to DMARC's Emergency Food Panty.  To date, she has sold more than 60 aprons.  Thank you, Lynn.  You are a true inspiration.

Deere Foundation Helps United Way
20 Nov 09

DMARC has received a tremendous $60,000 contribution from from a grant given by the John Deere Foundation to be distributed by the United Way that will help us meet the increased need we see with the approach of winter and the holiday season.  We extend our thanks to John Deere and all those whose contributions make our work possible.

Iowa Rent Help
29 Oct 09

Iowa Rental Help is a new program administered by the State of Iowa that provides qualified Iowans with temporary financial assistance to secure permanent housing. 

 Some eligible expenses include:
  • Rent payment assistance*
  • Utility payment assistance*
  • Utility deposit
  • Security deposit
  • Budgeting
  • And more! 
*Rent and utility payments may also be covered up to six months in arrears!

While Iowa Rental Help can provide a wide variety of tools to assist renters, it can also assist Iowans in a variety of situations.

To qualify, income must not exceed 50% of the area median income. In some specific and rare cases, eligibility varies. Contact Iowa Rental Help to learn about eligibility in your area. Also Iowa Rental Help may not be combined with any other federal assistance, including Section 8, etc.

Iowans in need should contact Iowa Rental Help by phone, text or email for more information and to schedule a consultation.

At the consultation, eligibility and types of assistance will be determined.
Local case managers will meet with their clients every three months to reassess the situation and review the assistance.

After a maximum of 18 months in the program, it is Iowa Rental Help's goal that Iowans in need will have gained stability as well as adequate housing for their needs.
  • 3816 36th Street, Suite #202
  • Des Moines, IA 50310
  • Phone: 515-277-6969

Welcome to DMARC

The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is an interfaith organization that exists to provide a common means of responding to basic human needs and, in so doing, offers a context for interfaith dialogue, education, fellowship and support while serving as a liaison between member congregations and the greater Des Moines community.
Some Facts About DMARC
  • DMARC has received IRS designation as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
  • We have more than 150 member congregations
  • We have partners from ten different faith traditions
  • DMARC was founded more than 50 years ago in 1952
DMARC offers a range of programs designed to help fulfill our mission: