Food Pantries
Polk County partners with the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) to operate two community food pantries. One is at Polk County River Place and one is beside the Polk County North Side Community Center.
Individuals and families in Polk County can receive a three-day supply of healthy, nutritional food, and other essential non-food items, once per month. A smaller selection of items can be accessed daily
All households needing food are welcome; household income is not a criteria. Identification is required
River Place Food Pantry: 2309 Euclid Avenue, (515) 286-3695 Open M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Northside Food Pantry: 3010 Sixth Avenue, (515) 286-2220 Open M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Home Delivery Service:
DMARC is offering a limited delivery service to the most vulnerable in the community. If a client is unable to obtain food by either coming to the pantry or using a proxy, then they can call DMARC directly to request delivery. DMARC asks that only those with health, transportation or other mitigating circumstances use this service. Clients can call 1-833-DMARC-20 (1-833-362-7220) toll free. This number is staffed by trained volunteers and staff from 9:00 a.m. - Noon, Monday through Friday. Deliveries are on a first come first served basis, and capacity will depend on the number of volunteers available. Food will delivered to the client's doorstep the next business day between 9 a.m. and Noon using a no contact delivery method.
Volunteering
Food pantry volunteers are some of the most compassionate and important people we know. They generally find the work very rewarding, and we appreciate them very much
Volunteers greet residents as they enter the pantry. After paid staff check them in, volunteers walk through the store with them to help them know how much of any particular item they can receive. They also help receive food from DMARC or donations, and stock shelves. Volunteer shifts are typically 2-3 hours long.
Volunteers should be 18 years of age and pass a criminal and child and dependent adult registry check.
The Food Pantry also welcomes corporate/church groups of up to three volunteers at a time.
If you are interested in volunteering please complete this volunteer application and submit to one of the pantry locations (see below). Driver's license and photo identification is required.
Food Pantry Contacts
River Place Food Pantry, 2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines
Nancy Andreas (515) 286-3695 or E-Mail
Northside Food Pantry, 3010 Sixth Avenue, Des Moines
Anthony Scaglione, (515) 286-2220 or E-Mail
