Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is an interfaith organization that exists to provide a common means of responding to basic human needs.
100 Army Post Road, Des Moines
Joined November 2009
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Looking back on a decade of budding interfaith leadership.
Campers came from different faiths, cultures, and walks of life to spend 5 days together on campus at Drake University, learning about the diverse faith communities in Greater Des Moines.
desmoinesregister.com/story/…
A federal judge has struck down Iowa's SNAP restrictions on items like soda and candy, meaning foods that were previously restricted under the waiver are once again SNAP eligible. The same changes also apply to Summer EBT (Sun Bucks).
Read more:
desmoinesregister.com/story/…
DMARC shares the common goal of ensuring every Iowan has enough nutritious food at home. While we are cautiously optimistic about this ruling, appeals and additional legal action could create further uncertainty for SNAP participants and grocery retailers.
DMARC retweeted
The 2026 season wouldn’t be possible without:
Presenting sponsor @unitypointdsm, with support from @JohnDeere, @MidAm_EnergyCo Foundation, @PrairieMeadows, @Principal Foundation, Ankeny Sanitation, @DMARCunited, Operation Downtown, Polk County & Terrus Real Estate Group. 💛
Tomorrow at the Iowa State Capitol, Iowa Religious Freedom Day Keynote Speaker Micah Fries will share ways people of different faiths can build real friendships without compromising what they believe.
Q and A:
dmarcunited.org/2026/04/q-an…
Fill out your bracket and help a good cause this March. Get started today at dmarcunited.org/dmarch. Each bracket and $20 donation = 25 meals for a neighbor in need.
71% of respondents said food insecurity is a problem in Iowa. There is wide bipartisan support for us to do more in Iowa to make healthy food more accessible.
businessrecord.com/iowa-food…
"Hunger in Iowa doesn’t really look different than hunger anywhere else in terms of the root causes and the folks that are experiencing hunger. That’s pretty universal."
The Business Record caught up with DMARC CEO, Kathy Underhill to talk SNAP and more.
businessrecord.com/meet-the-…
The first legislative funnel, a major hurdle for legislation to pass at the Iowa statehouse, has come and gone. Much like the Iowa weather, you can expect constant change at this point in the process.
dmarcunited.org/2026/02/food…
This legislation will lead to more babies at more pantries that we may or may not be able to help.
WIC is designed to be a low-barrier option for infants to get help. WIC exists to ensure every Iowan who needs help with food and formula can access it.
iowapublicradio.org/state-go…
DMARC celebrates the state of Iowa's announcement to participate in the SUN Bucks (summer EBT).
This means that Iowa parents can go to the grocery store this summer and pick out the food best suited for their children.
Read the full statement here: dmarcunited.org/2025/12/sun-…
DMARC retweeted
1 in 8 Iowan's are food insecure. We talk with hunger fighters Tami Nielsen, Pres & CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa & Kathy Underhill, CEO of DMARC. Joining Radio Iowa's @okayhenderson is @ErinDMurphy of the Gazette. Watch today at noon or online anytime iowapbs.org/shows/iowapress/…
DMARC retweeted
In this episode of the Iowa Ag Podcast, host @GeigerReports talks with Blake Willadsen of @DMARCunited about the reality of hunger in Iowa and how food pantries are helping families.
Auto-play timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:15 Meet Blake Willadsen: Communications and Marketing Manager
00:33 Understanding DMAC: Des Moines Area Religious Council
01:29 Food Pantry Operations and Community Support
05:54 Challenges Faced by Food Pantries
13:27 Impact of Government Shutdown on Food Pantries
23:25 The Role of Agriculture in Food Pantries
36:19 How to Get Involved and Support Food Pantries
38:32 Conclusion and Farewell
"To everyone in the Des Moines metro that isn’t sure where their next meal will come from: our doors are open and we will do everything we can to make sure you don’t leave without food." - DMARC CEO Kathy Underhill
dmarcunited.org/2025/11/busi…
What happens if SNAP benefits don’t go out next month? Learn more and find ways to help at DMARCunited.org.
What happens if SNAP Benefits don’t go out this November? How can I help my neighbors affected by the shutdown?
As we brace for the federal government shutdown to continue, more than 50,000 Polk County residents could be losing SNAP at the start of November.
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