DMARC Food Pantry Network


 
For the fullest information about the DMARC Food Pantry Network, we invite you to come to our food website, MovetheFood.org.
 
MovetheFood is a DMARC-led initiative to address the entire food system in Greater Des Moines, building on more than 35 years of food assistance work, catalyzing fresh generations, and engaging new constituencies to further support a vision for a day when everyone in Polk County has enough to eat.

Resources: 

DMARC Most Needed Food Items--Download a pdf flyer of the list.

How to Host a Food Drive--Download a pdf flyer.

Diaper Central and How to Host a Diaper Drive--Download a pdf flyer.

The DMARC Food Pantry Network strives to meet the short-term needs of the food insecure in our area.  People seeking assistance can go to one of our 12 pantry sites to receive a five-day supply of food for themselves and their families once per month at no cost. 

By the Numbers
In 2010:
·        1,100,000 food items were distributed
·        10,000 different families benefited from our service
·        or roughly 30,000 individuals
 
The Des Moines metro area is divided into ten regions, each served by one of our 12 food pantry sites. To find out which pantry serves your area, click here or call 515-277-6969.
 
Because DMARC is committed to providing food to our pantry sites at no cost, we have to rely on support from our generous contributors.  Financial contributions are used to buy food at wholesale while donated food items are sorted, repackaged and then given to the pantry sites. 

 

DMARC Most Needed Food Items - download a pdf of a printer-friendly version of this list here.

               100% Juice (tomato, orange, or vegetable in a can or plastic bottle)
Fruit (canned in water or 100% juice, not in heavy syrup)
Canned vegetables (with no-salt added, for example tomatoes, green beans, mixed vegetables, sweet potatoes preferred)
Canned beans (refried beans, vegetarian refried beans, and beans in water for example kidney beans, red beans, black beans, garbanzo beans)
Dry beans
Peanut butter
Canned meat (tuna or chicken in water)
Whole-grain dry pasta or egg noodles
Brown rice (regular or instant)
Vegetable soup (low-sodium)
Whole grain crackers (wheat saltines)
Canned spaghetti sauce
Hot cereal, oatmeal (plain, no sugar added, instant or regular)
Cold cereal (whole grain cheerios, wheat chex, wheaties, granola, or shredded wheat preferred)
Shelf-stable UHT milk (in aseptic packaging, low fat preferred, no canned milk)
Infant/baby formula
Diapers and baby wipes
Personal products (shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene, toothpaste, deodorant)
Fresh whole grain bread items (with generous expiration dates)
Fresh fruits and vegetables including but not limited to: potatoes/sweet potatoes bananas, apples, carrots, grapes, oranges, tomatoes, melons, broccoli, bell peppers (please donate far before expiration and prime ripeness)

Volunteer

Volunteers and the DMARC EFP warehouse have three main responsibilities. 
 
  • Count all incoming individual food items.
  • Check each food item for container integrity and expiration date.
  • Package food for distribution to the nine pantry sites.
 
The DMARC EFP warehouse operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:40 p.m. Volunteers normally work from either 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. There is, however, a considerable amount of flexibility associated with times and frequency that a volunteer can participate.
 
If you have any questions concerning volunteer opportunities contact the DMARC EFP Director at (515) 277-6969 or by e-mail at foodpantry@dmreligious.org.  You can also volunteer online.

 

  • 3816 36th Street, Suite #202
  • Des Moines, IA 50310
  • Phone: 515-277-6969

www.MovetheFood.org 

  Check out our food related website!

 

Community Calendar

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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.
Hours, office and warehouse

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

(closed Christmas holiday and New Years holiday)
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 does not require attendance at or participation in religious services as a requirement or condition to receive services, and DMARC does not engage in religious proselytizing or counseling.
  • DMARC practices non-discrimination in accordance with all applicable federal and state regulations.
DMARC offers a range of programs designed to help fulfill our mission: