Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Holiday Edition 2022-2023

We invite you to read our holiday newsletter edition as Christmas draws near. We begin with a description of our Angel Tree, an annual collection drive for our programs. During the holidays, some of our families and individuals experience hardship and pain. We share an emotional story about a former client whose family needed assistance to move forward in their lives. Unfortunately, this story is an example of one of the many clients who come to our doors needing help throughout the year.

We thank all of our parishes and business partners who engage in this special ministry – a few who are highlighted in this edition. Their commitment, caring, and compassion to serve families and individuals within our Diocese and communities are appreciated. With the passion and dedication of staff, volunteers and others, many have been served and many essential needs have been met.

During these times, there is increased need for food, shelter, emotional care, and welcoming new Iowans. Please donate, volunteer and/or contribute to Catholic Charities.

This Advent and Christmas season, we prepare, reflect, and, extend our deepest gratitude for your support, demonstrated in so many ways to those who need assistance. This is a sacred journey, with words of hope and help: So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Luke 2:16–19

Peace & Joy at Christmas and in the New Year, Barbara

Catholic Charities Angel Tree

This Holiday season, Catholic Charities is collecting donations for all of our programs. We want to make sure our programs and clients have everything they need this time of year. If you would like to make a contribution or donate check out our website or Amazon Wishlist. We appreciate everyone's generosity!

Thanksgiving at the Food Pantry

Thanksgiving kicked off at Catholic Charities Food Pantry the week prior to the holiday. Hundreds of turkeys and hams were distributed along with Thanksgiving sides. We hope that it contributed to all of our clients having a great kick off to the holiday season!

Success Stories that remind us of why we do what we do...

“My advocate was amazing. My 3 kids and I would be homeless if it wasn’t for her help! She never gave up even when I was very discouraged. Catholic Charities saved my family.”

-Former Domestic Violence Shelter Client

This story is about a mother and her 3 young children based on her call for help to the Domestic Violence facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa. When she called the program for assistance, she reported that her husband had assaulted her and taken their vehicle, her identification card as well as her SNAP card. She later found out that he had emptied their bank account and hadn’t paid the rent for the past two months even though she had given him the money to do so. The mother then received an eviction notice for non-payment of rent. She also had to take time off from work since she did not have a car or a babysitter as he was the one who provided care to the children while she worked. The mother did not have any family in the area for support. The domestic violence advocate made frequent contacts with the mother and provided support as well as helped her to apply for a Protection Order and have her car returned, while obtaining the ID card and making calls for SNAP and childcare benefits. Catholic Charities, working with other community organizations, was able to assist the mother to pay her due rent and cancel the eviction. The mother was able to return to her job after a month and is thriving well with her children.

We couldn't do it without you!

Dental Clinic with Dental Connections & Broadlawns

In mid-December, Dental Connections and Broadlawns joined the Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement team in hosting a pop-up dental screening clinic for our Refugee clients. During the clinic, clients learned how to care for their oral health and were screened for any dental concerns. A huge thank you to our partners for helping us provide these services.

Parish Charity Helpers

We thank our parishes and board members that have held many donation drives, especially during this holiday season. We extend a special thanks to...

St. Francis of Assisi Knights of Columbus for donating boxes of socks and toothbrushes.

St . Joseph's for holding a weekly donation drive during Advent for the Emergency Family Shelter.

St. Augustin's for helping both the food pantry and local shelter through various donations.

St. Theresa for continuing to offer funding for cab fares to shelter clients who need transportation to their jobs or appointments.

Bankers Trust

We extend our gratitude to the Bankers Trust DEI Committee for their generous donations and interest in the Refugee Resettlement program. Our clients often come here with very little and these donations help provide them basic necessities and a comfortable home.

Bobbi Jo Smith named new Director of Development at Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities of Des Moines is pleased to announce that Bobbi Jo Smith will be our new Director of Development. Bobbi Jo served as the Senior Director of Development for the Iowa State University Foundation, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences since 2016. We are excited for Bobbi Jo to join the team!

Save the Date! Catholic Charities will be hosting our annual fundraising event March 4th, 2023 at Izaak Walton League. More details to come!

Your Support Serves Thousands in Central and Southwest Iowa

Catholic Charities Annual Appeal is the primary funding source for Catholic Charities along with government and private grant funding.

Donors who commit to an annual gift help strengthen and empower individuals and families through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Consider an annual gift that will help all year!

Donate Now

Serving those in need within the Diocese of Des Moines

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines serves those in need within the 23 counties of the Diocese of Des Moines in southwest Iowa. Our mission to empower individuals and strengthen families applies to anyone in need in the area, regardless of demographic. Our mission is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Our programs and services include refugee resettlement, professional counseling, food pantry, domestic violence and sexual assault shelter and services, emergency family shelter, case management, and more. We impact more than 30,000 individuals each year.

Find more information about Catholic Charities at catholiccharitiesdm.org