Catholic Charities' St. Mary Family Center distributes more than 8500 food boxes each year to an average of 600 families each month. In addition to emergency food boxes, St. Mary Family Center offers perishable food items, clothing and infant items. Daily traffic at the center has grown from an average of 100-200 people to 200-400 people each day. Services include: Emergency food boxes for families in need - The emergency food box contains a four day supply of non-perishable food items. A family may receive an emergency food box one time per calendar month. Because there are several food pantry sites in and around Des Moines, St. Mary’s food boxes are limited to those who live in Des Moines. Bread is available every day for families in need. Families may take up to two loaves per day per household. Anyone, regardless of their address, is free to come any day for bread products. Diapers & Infant Formula - Diapers and infant formula is available following the same guidelines as food boxes. Free clothing closet available to anyone, regardless of their address. All clothing is donated, so available sizes vary from week to week. Ever wonder where your church/business’ food drives go or your donations to the Red Barrels in the grocery stores? St. Mary Family Center is one of the Des Moines Area Religious Council’s (DMARC) food pantry sites and receives ninety percent of its food supplies from the DMARC food pantry. We also purchase food at a discounted rate from the Food Bank of Iowa as well as receive donations from local businesses and community groups. St. Mary Family Center serves the Capitol East neighborhood, which is defined by the Child and Family Policy Center as one of the “pockets†of poverty in the Des Moines area, with a poverty rate of 46.6%. Due to the need in the near East side of Des Moines, St. Mary Family Center has 300-400 individuals walk through their door each day, seeking food and clothing.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (515) 262-7290 to book your appointment.
Address :
1815 Hubbell Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50316.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Des Moines
Help Residents of Counties:
- Polk
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (515) 262-7290 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.