In 2020, the DMARC Food Pantry Network assisted more than 13,000 people who used a DMARC food pantry for the first time ever, nearly 1 in 4 of all unique individuals assisted by the DMARC Food Pantry Network last year. In total, 58,707 unique individuals were assisted by the DMARC Food Pantry Network in 2020. The DMARC Food Pantry Network consists of 14 partner food pantries and more than 30 mobile food pantry locations across greater Des Moines. DMARC is calling for state support to anti-hunger organizations like food banks, food pantries and strengthening nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in Iowa as Food Assistance, DMARC said in a statement. 

Iowa Stops Hunger is a yearlong Business Publications Corp. initiative to bring awareness and action to food insecurity in Iowa. Read additional stories on Iowastopshunger.com.