Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC)

The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is an interfaith organization with a mission of working together to meet basic human needs for the greater Des Moines community. Founded in 1952, DMARC provides a common means of responding to basic human needs and a context for interfaith dialogue. 

Since 1976, DMARC has managed the DMARC Food Pantry Network, the largest food pantry network in the state of Iowa, providing a safety net for those who face food insecurity in greater Des Moines.  Today this program is DMARC’s largest and most well-known program, consisting of of 14 food pantry sites, a Mobile Food Pantry program, a home food delivery program and numerous community supporters. Food pantry sites are located in Des Moines, Ankeny, Clive, Johnston, Urbandale and West Des Moines.

DMARC guarantees all of its partner food pantries a core three-day supply of food for pantry visitors at zero cost, ensuring that anytime someone visits a DMARC Food Pantry they can choose from a selection of healthy, fresh and culturally appropriate foods.