DMARC

We continue to hear stories from people who are navigating the loss of their job, unexpected medical expenses, or other bumps in the road that make it difficult to manage the high cost of groceries.

For some, losing access to SNAP or accessing the program entirely is out of reach. That is creating impossible choices between which of your basic needs will get met today.

Just this past month, 28,430 people in the Greater Des Moines area were assisted by the DMARC Food Pantry Network. Roughly 1 in 3 of those people were under the age of 18, and 1 in 10 were seniors (60+).

Iowa food pantries see sustained demand after year of SNAP changes With almost 24,000 Iowans losing SNAP benefits since federal changes to the program a year ago, users and food pantries are still trying to adjust.

What did you do this summer? 👏

Incoming High School students and college freshmen from across the state came together this month for an exciting journey called Interfaith Youth Leadership Camp.

This 5-day journey took young adults throughout the Des Moines area to visit area churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and Gurudwaras as they learned and asked questions. The campers walked away with the tools to go forth and be stronger interfaith leaders.

They also developed a stronger relationship with their faith and faith journey while creating digital storytelling projects inspired by a moment or insight that influenced them.

Thank you to all of our faith partners who hosted a group or shared a meal with our students, and a special thank you to the Comparison Project and Drake University for hosting the students overnight on campus.

See our interfaith work in action! 🎥Watch these moving 2-4 minute videos produced by young adults participating in interfaith camp this week.

Interfaith Film Screening
Sunday, July 12 at Drake University
3:30 to 5 pm at Meredith Hall