Emergency Food Pantries

The DMARC Emergency Food Pantries strive to meet the short-term needs of the food insecure in our area.  People seeking assistance can go to one of our nine 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 2007-2008:
·        1,013,000 food items were distributed
·        671 families per week received assistance
·        1,891 individuals obtained food each week
·        8,132 different families benefited from our service. 
 
The Des Moines metro area is divided into nine regions, each served by one of our nine food pantry sites. To find out which pantry serves your area, click here or call 515-277-6969.
 
Support
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.  We especially need the following food items:
·        Canned fruit
·        Canned meals (chili, stew, Chef Boyardee, etc.)
·        Canned soups
·        Canned vegetables and beans
·        Cereal
·        Diapers
·        Fruit and vegetable juices
·        Infant formula and baby food
·        Instant potatoes
·        Macaroni and cheese dinner
·        Macaroni and spaghetti
·        Peanut butter
·        Rice
·        Saltines
·        Spaghetti sauce
·        Tuna
 
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

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: