DMARC food pantries break single-day record of customers
The Des Moines Area Religious Council food pantry network just set a record. On Tuesday, Nov. 1, DMARC served its highest number of customers in one day. But no one is celebrating.“Food is expensive right now these days. We can’t even afford to buy it,” said customer Felicia Lozano.She is thankful for the Urbandale food pantry. After the Federal food assistance program called SNAP was reduced last spring, it’s been tough for her and more than 40 million other low-income Americans.“I’m getting food for my house because food stamps were cut and I’m struggling right now,” said Lozano.“It’s just sort of a perfect storm this time of year,” said Matt Unger, CEO of the Des Moines Area Religious Council food pantry network.Unger says November first was its busiest day ever, serving 1500 customers at its 15 metro pantries.“We are hoping it’s not a scary harbinger of what this month holds for us, but we are expecting the month of November to be a record-breaking month as well,” said Unger.He says the need for food assistance has grown for a couple of reasons. They include the reduction of federal food benefits and growing inflation.“You marry those things together and people are just struggling to meet their basic needs right now and food is a big piece of that,” said Unger.November is also a tough time for many families who must start paying heating bills and for holiday gifts. The call is going out for Iowans to help DMARC help its customers.“Now is one of those times that we are going to need a lot of additional support. As we are providing support to more folks than we ever have,” Unger said.If you want to help you can volunteer, donate food, or donate money, you can visit DMARC’s website here.
DES MOINES, Iowa —
The Des Moines Area Religious Council food pantry network just set a record. On Tuesday, Nov. 1, DMARC served its highest number of customers in one day. But no one is celebrating.
“Food is expensive right now these days. We can’t even afford to buy it,” said customer Felicia Lozano.
She is thankful for the Urbandale food pantry. After the Federal food assistance program called SNAP was reduced last spring, it’s been tough for her and more than 40 million other low-income Americans.
“I’m getting food for my house because food stamps were cut and I’m struggling right now,” said Lozano.
“It’s just sort of a perfect storm this time of year,” said Matt Unger, CEO of the Des Moines Area Religious Council food pantry network.
Unger says November first was its busiest day ever, serving 1500 customers at its 15 metro pantries.
“We are hoping it’s not a scary harbinger of what this month holds for us, but we are expecting the month of November to be a record-breaking month as well,” said Unger.
He says the need for food assistance has grown for a couple of reasons. They include the reduction of federal food benefits and growing inflation.
“You marry those things together and people are just struggling to meet their basic needs right now and food is a big piece of that,” said Unger.
November is also a tough time for many families who must start paying heating bills and for holiday gifts. The call is going out for Iowans to help DMARC help its customers.
“Now is one of those times that we are going to need a lot of additional support. As we are providing support to more folks than we ever have,” Unger said.
If you want to help you can volunteer, donate food, or donate money, you can visit DMARC’s website here.
