Opportunities From: United Way of Central Iowa

In preparation for our HOPE for the Holiday event in early December, United Way of Central Iowa is collecting cleaning products and gift cards for HOPE for Stable Families. This United Way of Central Iowa program works with families to set goals, remove barriers, and use available community resources to create long-term financial stability for them and their children. 

Click here to sign-up to donate household cleaning supplies.

Click here to purchase household items from Amazon that can be shipped directly to United Way.

You can drop donations off at United Way of Central Iowa, 1111 9th St, Ste 100, Des Moines, IA 50314 on the following dates between 8am and 5pm: 

If these dates do not work for you, please contact Sarah Underwood, Volunteer Engagement Manager, to arrange a time to drop off your donations to United Way of Central Iowa. Contact Sarah Underwood at sarah.underwood@unitedwaydm.org or 515-246-2504.

Everybody Wins! Iowa is a reading and mentoring organization dedicated to getting kids excited about reading! Power Read is a weekly meeting between a student and an adult mentor who reads, models reading, and shares excitement about books. We also help build home libraries by giving each student books to take home.

You can get involved by sponsoring a student! Go to Everybody Wins! Iowa Ways to Give for more information.

Family Volunteer Day! Come and volunteer as a family on November 22rd from 10am to noon at Blank Park Zoo. Volunteers will learn more about the Zoo and assist in making animal enrichment for the upcoming holidays. Please wear clothing that can get dirty and closed-toed shoes. 

*Volunteers will need to sign a waiver.  *Adults will need to stay and volunteer alongside those in their care.

SIGN UP using the following link: https://signup.com/go/RuugONG

HOLIDAY GIVING

The holiday season is a perfect time to give back to the community, and your gift to Oakridge Neighborhood can make a lasting impact on families and individuals. Here's how you can make a difference:

GIFT CARDS & CASH DONATIONS

Donations of cash or gift cards to Walmart,Hy-Vee, Dollar General, etc. provide vital assistance for families to use for food, clothing, and essentials.

SHOES & WINTER GEAR

Give the gift of warmth this season with new shoes, sweatshirts, coats, underwear, and socks for the children and families at Oakridge. All sizes welcome from youth to adults. 

HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS & PERSONAL CARE ITEMS

Please help our low-income families have a brighter holiday season by donating household products, personal care items, diapers, and blankets.

We will be serving a free, warm dinner to go, for families and our community, to ensure everyone can enjoy a Christmas meal. Dinners can be picked up on Christmas Day from Noon-5 PM at Kitchen Spaces, 1139 24th St, Des Moines.

We're requesting donations of canned goods, paper products, meat, and bottles of water. We're also accepting hygiene products and toys, or cash donations. Please drop off donations by Friday, December 19th. Contact ayde4you@gmail.com or 515-216-4224 for more information or to volunteer. 

This winter, share the warmth by adopting families in need of winter gear. Gather coats for the household to make sure everyone - from the smallest tot to Mom and Dad - stay toasty as Iowa cools.

If you are interested in adopting an individual or a family, or you want to learn more information, please contact us. 

Phone: 515-512-5252

Email: info@embarciowa.org

Support local youth and young women this winter by donating essential cold-weather items. We’re accepting new and gently used coats, snow pants, boots, hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens in sizes ranging from infant to adult.

Drop Details

Can't volunteer? You can still make a difference!

Support the Young Women's Resource Center's participants by donating NEW baby essentials.

You can also shop from our Target Registry. 

Drop Details

The Young Women’s Resource Center offers in-school and after-school groups where students can connect, learn, and grow in a safe and supportive space. Many of our participants face food insecurity, and snacks make a real difference in helping them stay nourished and focused. We’re collecting individually packaged grab-and-go snacks for our groups.

Suggested snack items include:

·        Uncrustables

·        Granola or Fruit Bars

·        Cheese Sticks

·        Beef Jerky

·        Applesauce Pouches or Cups

·        Juice Boxes

·        Chips

·        Crackers

·        Cookies

We’re preparing for our Annual Winter Concert, a beloved tradition where our students and their families come together to sing, laugh, and celebrate the holiday season together. 

This special event not only celebrates the holiday season but also gives us the opportunity to make sure every one of our 90 students—from 6 weeks to 5-year-olds—feels the magic of the holidays. Many of our families face financial challenges, and we want to ensure that no child is left out of the celebration. Our goal is simple: to provide each student with at least one meaningful holiday gift, regardless of their family's circumstances.

We are asking for help with gift wrapping close to 90 gifts this holiday season. Your generosity will directly bring smiles and excitement to our students during their winter concert. Please consider joining us for a afternoon of gift wrapping!

Food drives of all sizes make a difference. Your food drive can be traditional or virtual. Every pound of food we distribute goes to Iowa children, families, seniors and veterans struggling with hunger. Here’s how to get started and host a successful food drive to support a Hunger Free Holiday Season:

Host a Virtual Food Drive: Hunger-Free Holidays Virtual Food Drive 2025 - Campaign

Give and Learn More at www.hungerfreeholidays.org

Join Food Bank of Iowa and KCCI Channel 8 on Giving Tuesday (December 2nd) for our annual Hunger Free Holidays Telethon to kick-off our year-end campaign. Gifts made on December 2nd will be MATCHED up to $100,000 thanks to our friends at F&G. Our Hunger-Free Holidays Campaign continues through the month of December. Impact will be DOUBLE, thanks to our friends at Corteva for matching donations up to $100,000. 

Happy Holidays! 

This season is all about giving, and together, we can bring comfort and joy to those who need it most. 

Join our Holiday Donation Drive by contributing items for families in our community. Your generosity helps ensure everyone can share in the warmth of the season. 

Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) responds to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service. We proudly serve all 99 counties in Iowa through our programs in Early Childhood, Services for People with Disabilities, Mental Health, Immigrant and Refugee Services, and Foster Care and Adoption. 

We would love your support during this joyous time! Please drop off donations at LSI’s office, 3200 University Avenue, Des Moines. 

Our clients’ biggest needs include: 

Hygiene products: toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, deodorant, hand and body soap, shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving cream, feminine hygiene products

Cleaning products: laundry detergent, trash bags, cleaning wipes, dish soap, sponges, toilet cleaner, paper towels

Home items: quilts for twin XL, full, or queen beds

Baby care: diapers (all sizes), baby wipes

School supplies: backpacks, notebooks, pencils, markers, crayons, English language learning books

Other: Walmart or gas station gift cards

Thank you for helping LSI share the spirit of the season with Iowa families!

Spread Holiday Cheer to Cancer Patients and Families this Season!

Join us in making the holidays a little brighter for cancer patients and their loved ones. Below are a few meaningful ways you, your family, friends, or colleagues can give back and make a real difference this season.

If you’re interested in participating, please reach out to confirm details and coordinate dates and times. Thank you for helping share hope and comfort this holiday season!

✨ Ways to Give Back:

Host a Warmth & Comfort Drive
Collect cozy blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, and socks for cancer patients traveling to treatments this winter.

Gift Cards for Good
Gather gas, grocery, and restaurant gift cards to help patients and families with transportation and meals during treatment.

Hope Lodge Supply Drive
Support guests staying at the Hope Lodge in Iowa City—individuals and families who must travel far from home for cancer treatment.

Suggested Donation Items:
Community Pantry Items

Kodiak single-serve oatmeal cups

Clif protein bars

Gluten-free single-serve snacks

Canned chicken or tuna

Single-serve rice bowls or packets

Gift Cards

Grocery store gift cards

Gas station gift cards

Paper Products

Bowls, plates, paper towels, tissues, etc.

Purchase grocery store coupons for clients served across our program areas to alleviate the growing burden of food insecurity. Gift cards will be distributed at the Catholic Charities Food Pantry and through the Community Resource Coordination Program, which serves a broad range of clients. 

Gift cards can be purchased as a virtual or physical gift card. Physical gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to: 

Catholic Charities 

attn: Rebecca Kannegiesser

601 Grand Ave

Des Moines, IA 50309

Stores to purchase from: 

Fareway: https://www.fareway.com/

HyVee: https://www.hy-vee.com/aisles-online/search?search=gift+card

Aldi: giftcards can bepurchased in person.

Recipient email for gift card purchases: charities@catholichcharitiesdm.org  

Purchase gift cards for clothing and other essential household items to help out clients prepare for job interviews, upcoming life events, or moving into more permanent housing. Gift cards will be distributed across our program areas in Central Iowa. 

Gift cards can be purchased virtually or in-person. Physical gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to:

Catholic Charities

attn: Rebecca Kannegiesser

601 Grand Ave

Des Moines, IA 50309

Stores to purchase from: 

Kohls: e-gift cards

JCPennys: e-gift cards

WalMart: e-gift cards

Target: e-gift cards

Recipient email: charities@catholiccharitiesdm.org

Volunteer with the Des Moines Art Center for Entirely Kids Day: Together.

The Art Center is hosting our bi-annual Entirely Kids Day Saturday, November 29, 11 am – 3 pm and we would love your help!

Volunteers are needed for a variety of supportive roles including art project assistants, snack station maintenance, and greeters to hand out programs and to help orient and direct guests in the museum, shifts are 10:30 am – 1 pm and 1– 3:30 pm.

Helping the community connect with art and one another is what we are all about at the Des Moines Art Center and our team of engaged and enthusiastic volunteers are vital in making this work happen, join the team today.

Please reach out to Mia Buch with questions or to sign up mbuch@desmoinesartcenter.org.

We get a lot of foot traffic in our office and are working to create and supply a free, take what you need essentials bin for people in need. 

We are looking for donations of the following items:

Donations can be brought to our office at 1618 6th Ave Des Moines, IA 50314 

Thank you!!

This Holiday season, we would like to help our 40 participants who attend the Wesley on Grand Adult Day Center to each have a present to open during our yearly Christmas party. We are primarily looking for every day, personal essentials for both men and women, like socks, lotions, soaps, and lip balm, as well as hair accessories for women (like barrettes and headbands.) Contact Hannah for more specifics. Please drop off items before December 2nd. 

Join us for a high-impact volunteer experience! Help package bulk meals that go directly to feeding centers, getting food to children as quickly as possible.

This volume meal packaging project uses the same ingredients and process as our traditional meal packaging, just on a larger scale. Instead of packaging 216 meals into 36 small bags, volunteers package 216 meals into one bulk bag, allowing us to move more meals faster and farther.

Volunteers work together in a team-oriented, assembly-line setting, ensuring every ingredient is accurately measured and packed. We’ll need a few extra hands for lifting, typically 1–2 people per line lifting 10–25 lbs each, so please note that moderate lifting is required.

It’s a hands-on, energizing way to make an immediate impact and help families and communities in need.

We’re looking for 15–24 volunteers per shift to engage in this high impact challenge! 

To register or see shifts, please use follow our sign-up LINK. 

Volunteer Waiver Notice:
By volunteering with Meals from the Heartland, you acknowledge and accept our waiver of liability. Participation is voluntary, and Meals from the Heartland is not liable for any injuries or incidents that may occur during your service. Your registration confirms this understanding

Link Associates supports individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families who are well below poverty level income and struggle on a daily basis to meet their basic needs.

A food basket, Holiday meal items, or gift cards will help make their Holiday Season a little brighter!   A meal can be for the Thanksgiving Holiday or Christmas Holiday. There is also the opportunity to provide gifts for the Christmas Holiday if you are interested.

Please respond to receive a list of most current meal/ food and gift items needed!

Help us put on our Family Fall Festival at our Burt Club!This will be a fun, carnival style event with games, crafts, and fun for the whole family! We need help with setup, tear down, and most importantly, running the game and craft stations. We hope to have your help, it’s set to be a great time! 

Volunteers are needed to help families shop for toys and stocking stuffers for each of their children.

Click here to sign up.

Help us make sure that every child's Christmas is special by volunteering in Families Forward Holiday Toy Pantry! Helping over 1,000 children last year, we are so excited to get brand new toys out to children in need. Parents will "shop" through the free toy pantry to get a new toy, stocking-stuffer, book, and a stuffed animal for each child. Volunteers are needed to welcome families and help them shop!

Questions: For questions, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.

About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help. 

About Families Forward:  Families Forward has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Every year, at our Holiday Toy Pantry, we provide hats and gloves for the 1,000 children receiving gifts at our event. These children's families are struggling to make ends meet. We need your help to make sure that these children have the warm essentials that they need for the cold winter days ahead. The hats and gloves are also used for the children at our child development center and our family shelter. Items are needed by Friday, December 12th. 

Drop Off Location:

Families Forward Child Development Center

1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines Iowa 50315

Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm

Donation Drop Off at Hartford Avenue:

Pull up by the back door of the yellow Child Development Center. Open the gate behind the Child Development Center and go to the very last door. The door is up 5 steps, and the glass window says “Administrative Office”. Ring the doorbell and someone will accept your donations.

Questions: For questions, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Thank you for your interest in supporting the families at Families Forward this holiday season!         

To sign up to help, click here!

We have two ways you can support Iowa's most vulnerable children & families experiencing homelessness:

You may choose to support both programs.

We ask that all gifts remain unwrapped so families can experience the joy in picking items out and wrapping them for their loved ones.

Please contact Melanie Wright with any questions.
Office: 515-244-9748 | Email: melanie@familiesforward.org

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Thank you for your interest in supporting the families at Families Forward this holiday season!

To sign up to help, click here!

We have two ways you can support Iowa's most vulnerable children & families experiencing homelessness:

You may choose to support both programs.

We ask that all gifts remain unwrapped so families can experience the joy in picking items out and wrapping them for their loved ones.

Please contact Melanie Wright with any questions.
Office: 515-244-9748 | Email: melanie@familiesforward.org

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

You can make the difference in a child's life by coordinating an event to make tie (no-sew) blankets for our Holiday Toy Pantry. We'd love for each child to receive a warm blankie with their new toy. Last year, we served over 1,000 children at our event.  Blankets are needed by Friday December 12th, but we can accept them later than this. 

This a great opportunity for groups, organizations, and employees that can't leave the office to volunteer or would like to do a service project. A team of two volunteers should be able to complete one blanket in an hour.

For questions, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.

Please note: Companies/Volunteers will need to purchase the materials to make the blankets.  

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Dorothy's House is looking for a venue (and/or sponsor) for our 20 person staff to celebrate during the holiday season. Last year we had a pizza party with games and white elephant gift exchange. Do you have a venue and/or group that would like to celebrate the season with us?

We are looking for donations of Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers in groups of 4, 8 or 12. These gifts are for participants in our programs - survivors of trafficking at Recovery House, Pathways and Front Porch. 

For more information, please email our volunteer coordinator, Kathy Bernreuter at kathy@dorothyshouse.org. Thank you so much for making the holidays happy for our participants! 

Following are a list of suggested items compiled by our staff:

Stocking (3 groups of 4)

Fuzzy socks (stocking) x 4

Face mask (stocking) x 4

Gloves (stocking) x 4

Scarf (stocking) x 4

Set of pens/markers (stocking) x 4

Eye shadow palette (stocking) x 4

Mascara (stocking) x 4

Motivational books/posters/desk top calendars (stocking) x 4

Sunglasses (stocking) x 4

Gifts (3 groups of 4)

Positive/affirming books (gift) x 4

K Cups (gift) x 4

Journal - no spiral (gift) x 4

Essential oil kit (gift) x 4

Diamond dots (gift) x 4

Activity Kit i.e. jewelry making (gift) x 4

Blanket (gift) x 4

Robe (gift) x 4

Organizing/Storage baskets (gift) x 4

Makeup brush sets (gift) x 4

Gift joy to families in need through our Johnston Gives program. The Johnston Partnership, in cooperation with the Johnston Community School District, provides a gift card for households with school-aged kids who see more hardship than joy at the holiday season. Last year, we helped over 500 students, and we anticipate this year will be the much more. $50 helps sponsor 1 child, but any dollar amount is helpful. 

Toys, toys, toys! Every year, the Families Forward Holiday Toy Pantry serves up to 1,000 children in the Des Moines Metro. These children's families are struggling to make ends meet, and the toys they receive at the Toy Pantry may be the only gifts that they receive. Won't you help make a child's Christmas bright? Toys are needed by Friday, December 12, 2025.

Click here to see our entire shopping list. 

The Families Forward Holiday Toy Pantry serves all children ages 0 to 18.

Most Needed Items:

Drop Off Location & Hours:
Families Forward Child Development Center
1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines Iowa 50315
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm

Donation Drop Off at Hartford Avenue:
Pull up by the back door of the yellow Child Development Center. Open the gate
behind the Child Development Center and go to the very last door. The door is up 5
steps, and the glass window says “Administrative Office”. Ring the doorbell and
someone will accept your donations. Please have gift card(s) in an envelope and hand
directly to our staff.

Questions or To Schedule a Drop Off: For questions or to schedule evening and weekend drop offs, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Gather your fellow elves and join us at Momentum Art Studio for a merry day of making magic behind the scenes. With holiday tunes playing, you’ll help tidy the studio, organize supplies, and prep canvases with gesso, ensuring they're as white as the freshly fallen snow. Perfect for groups of 3–5 who love teamwork, laughter, and spreading cheer while making a real impact in the arts community.

Momentum Arts, a program of Community Support Advocates, was created in 2004 to support artists who identify as having a disability. In addition to an annual art showcase, the program offers free workshops, studio space, supplies, mentorship, and professional development. You can visit Momentum Arts in studio #109 at Mainframe Studios or online at: momentumartistcollective.org/

Are you an artist who loves to share your gifts? This season, sprinkle a little holiday magic at Momentum Art Studio by leading a festive, hands-on workshop or art demonstration. Whether it’s painting winter wonderlands, crafting ornaments, or exploring cozy creative themes, your time and talent can bring joy and inspiration to artists living with disabilities and mental health conditions. Workshops can be one-time or recurring, typically lasting 2–3 hours—just enough time to spread some creative cheer and make spirits bright!

Momentum Arts, a program of Community Support Advocates, was created in 2004 to support artists who identify as having a disability. In addition to an annual art showcase, the program offers free workshops, studio space, supplies, mentorship, and professional development. You can visit Momentum Arts in studio #109 at Mainframe Studios or online at: momentumartistcollective.org/

Help us provide warm coats and winter-wear for those struggling financially in our community.  We believe everyone has the right to be warm and be protected from the cold Iowa winter weather. The following new and gently-used items are needed: 

Drop Off Location:  1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines IA 50315

To schedule a drop off, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404. Please allow 48 hours for scheduling.

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

As we want Elf Day, our Holiday themed Community Event, to be a highlight of our residents year, we we need volunteer support. Let us know if one stands out to you; or, if you have any other ideas! These could either be done on or off site. We just ask that you provide the supplies as we do not have a budget to do so. (Must be 18 years or older to volunteer on site)

- Creating 150 Christmas cards for resident’s to receive on Christmas morning – filled with uplifting notes and well wishes
- Baked goods (150 servings) – who doesn’t love cookies and sugar loaded items during the holidays?!
- 150 Stocking stuffer kindness bags – along with a gift, we would love to extend the Christmas spirit with small goodie bags
- 150 Hot cocoa kits – a hot chocolate packet with mini marshmallows and a candy cane taped to the outside (feel free to add a handwritten note).

If interested please register for a task below. Donations can be dropped off before December 19th anytime Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. or between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Learn more and take a virtual tour of our campus here: youtube.com/watch?v=YTshFDMScsM&t

Toilet paper is one of our most commonly requested items in our on-site hygiene pantry. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic we can all relate to the fear of running out of this essential need item. Many of our women still face this fear daily due to transportation and/or financial barriers that prevent them from being able to purchase this item from the store. Will you help put TP under our Christmas tree to support our residents through the holidays and beyond? Any amount will make an important and positive impact! 

Donations can be dropped off at the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus, located at 2 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 anytime Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. or between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Or, send TP directly to our door using our Amazon wish list here:https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2PP32L4CYOWD3?ref_=wl_share 

Please contact nicholas.drahozal@dmymca.org with questions!

One of our greatest needs at Ronald McDonald House is for home-cooked meals for our families. After a long day at the hospital, families are truly grateful for a hot meal waiting for them. This is an ideal volunteer opportunity for groups of family, friends, corporate teams, or teens looking to fulfill community service or Silver Cord hours. We have two Houses where you can volunteer: our House near Blank Children’s Hospital and our House within MercyOne (located on the North Side, 4th Floor).

To choose a date, please visit http://www.rmhdesmoines.org, scroll down to click on "Meal Providers," then select "Sign Up Here" to access our meal provider schedule.

FAQ

How many people can participate in our group?
We limit groups to 10 people due to kitchen size. For groups larger than 10, we suggest splitting up: 10 people can cook, and the rest can assist with housekeeping.

What do we need to bring?
We provide all cooking tools and utensils. You’ll just need to bring the ingredients. You’re also welcome to use any canned or dry goods we have available. Feel free to call us to check what’s on hand. *Please keep in mind, Per RMH Global Guidelines, we cannot accept homemade food prepared outside a licensed kitchen.

How much food should we make?
Please prepare a meal for 35 people for each House. If you sign up to make a meal for both Houses we ask you make a meal for 70 people.
To keep a consistent schedule, we ask that meals be ready by 6 p.m.

What time should we arrive?
The volunteer kitchen is reserved from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you’d like to come earlier, please call ahead to confirm kitchen availability.

Can we stay and visit with families?
You’re welcome to stay and visit with families during the meal. However, many families return later in the evening, so we leave the meal out for an hour and then store it as leftovers.

What should we make?
Feel free to be creative and have fun with your meal! There’s no need to worry about dietary restrictions.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, please reach out to Caroline at volunteer@rmhdesmoines.org or call 515-243-2111.

Thank you for helping us support families in need!

At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa, we proudly serve families from Iowa, across the U.S., and around the world. Our pantry provides meals, sweet treats, snacks, toiletries, and other essentials for these families during their stay-and we would greatly appreciate your support!

If you’re interested in organizing a Pantry Wish List Drive or setting up a donation drive, please reach out. We can share details about the pantry and toiletry items currently needed.

If you’d prefer to donate directly from our wish list, please visit our website at www.rmhdesmoines.org. Our wish list covers items needed for both of our Ronald McDonald Houses. For donated items, we kindly ask that they be shipped to:

1441 Pleasant St
Des Moines, IA 50314

This helps ensure the right items reach the correct House location.

For questions or to arrange a drop-off time, please contact volunteer@rmhdesmoines.org or call us at 515-243-2111.

Thank you for helping us make a difference for families in need!

With the influx of medication donations and increasing need for medication assistance, we need your help. Our volunteers assist in logging incoming donations into our inventory.  Learn more about how you can make a difference in our community and sign up to volunteer at SafeNetRx today!