Catholic Charities' Food Pantry | |
The Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry helps our clients fulfill their basic needs. In addition to food, the pantry also provides personal hygiene items, diapers, wipes and formula to those we serve. Fueled by our team of dedicated and passionate volunteers, the Food Pantry has been able to meet the growing need to feed the hungry in our community. | |
Around Catholic Charities | |
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Catholic Charities Awarded a $40,000 Grant from United Way of the Midlands
Catholic Charities is pleased to announce it was recently awarded a $40,000, two-year grant from United Way of the Midlands (UWM) Community Impact Fund for its Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program. Thanks to the generosity of the UWM donors, Catholic Charities will be able to enhance the care its clients receive through this program. The Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program supports anyone who faces these issues, regardless of background, through a 24/7 crisis hotline, an emergency shelter, one-on-one supportive advocacy, outreach education and more. The program provides a safe and encouraging environment for survivors to grow and move forward feeling empowered.
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Funds Still Available: Catholic Charities Disaster Relief
“Thank you so much for this generous gift. I appreciate it more than words can say.” – Catholic Charities Disaster Relief Recipient
Our hearts and prayers go out to the individuals and families who are still recovering from the April 26 and May 21 tornadoes. The Catholic Charities Disaster Relief program, funded through Catholic Charities USA, is able to provide financial support for individuals and families, residing in the Diocese of Des Moines, who have been impacted by these storms. Funding is still available for those in need.
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Legacy Leader: Bishop Joseph Charron | |
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Bishop Joseph Charron connects deeply with the mission and theological meaning behind Catholic Charities and the tremendous good the organization does. He served as Bishop for the Diocese of Des Moines for 13 years and witnessed a great time of growth and expansion for the organization. Reflecting on the work of Catholic Charities, Bishop Charron notes the importance of the organization, not just because of the programs and services offered, but the “why” behind what the organization stands for and what it does for the people it serves.
During his time as Bishop, he offered his guidance and discernment to help lead Catholic Charities into the future. Bishop Charron also acknowledges the great leaders Catholic Charities has along with the dedicated members of Board of Directors, staff and volunteers who live out the organization’s mission every day.
“Catholic Charities has been so successful because it has been lived out by generations of people committed to its mission,” said Bishop Charron. “That is part of the real power of a faith-based organization, when you have people there who are really living out their faith, it makes a real difference.”
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Brain Break: System Reboot
If you are feeling anxious or stressed, take a moment to wash your hands or grab a quick drink of H2O. The cold water can act as a reset for your nervous system.
This helpful Brain Break tip is brought to you by the Catholic Charities' Counseling Program.
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Catholic Charities on Iowa Catholic Radio
We are grateful for our partnership with Iowa Catholic Radio. Catholic Charities Director of Development and Marketing, Bobbi Jo Smith, joined the Catholic Morning Show on July 24 to discuss Catholic Charities Disaster Relief, our vital programs and our upcoming centennial celebration. Click the button below to listen to the full interview! (The Catholic Morning Show - Bobbi Smith - 7/24/2024)
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Current Available Dates:
August: 18, 20, 26, 29 and 31
September: 2, 3, 6, 15, 17, 19, 23, 29 and 30
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Meal Providers Needed
Do you enjoy cooking and want a fun way to give back to your community? Become a volunteer meal provider for the Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter! We provide dinner to all families staying at the shelter, seven days a week, and we are regularly at capacity. Volunteer meal providers help us feed those we care for who are working on becoming self-sufficient to provide for themselves and their families. Meals should serve around 34 people.
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Mass for Suicide Healing and Remembrance
Sunday, September 8, 2024
11 a.m.
St. Ambrose Cathedral
607 High St, Des Moines, IA 50309
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. At this special Mass, we pray for all who have been lost to suicide, for survivors of suicide and for all who have lost a family member, friend or colleague. We also pray that, as a Church and as individuals, we can help prevent suicide by raising awareness and knowing how to help those in need. Names of loved ones will be remembered in a candle ceremony and prayer list in the worship aid.
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Foundations of Justice: An Intro to the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
7 p.m.
St. Augustin Catholic Church
545 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Join us as John Huynh, D.Min., Director of Social Justice for Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Des Moines presents on the foundations of social justice and introduces the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. This presentation will be the first of eight sessions hosted across the Diocese covering a different topic under the umbrella of Catholic Social Teaching.
The next session will be on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 7 p.m. at St. Luke the Evangelist, 1102 NW Weigel Drive, Ankeny, IA 50023.
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United Way Day of Caring – Support Catholic Charities
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
9 – 11 a.m.
We are called to follow in the footsteps of Christ and to serve our neighbors in need. Catholic Charities is always seeking passionate and dedicated volunteers who are looking for a way to give back to the community. You can give back to your community while supporting the work of Catholic Charities during the United Way Day of Action. There are opportunities for individuals and groups to get involved with Catholic Charities Refugee Services!
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Centennial Trivia benefiting Catholic Charities Refugee Services
Saturday, October 19, 2024
4 p.m. Refugee Simulation
5 p.m. Trivia
Krause Hall, Catholic Pastoral Center
601 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309
Join us for another Centennial Trivia event supporting Catholic Charities Refugee Services. Gather your trivia team or be paired with one the night of! Interested in learning about what life is like before becoming a refugee in America? Join our refugee simulation happening before the trivia event.
Did you know, a refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or serious human rights violations and seek safety in another country? Catholic Charities Refugee Services works to resettle refugees who have family or close friends living in our area.
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If you are interested in donating a basket to be featured as a raffle item for Catholic Charities' Centennial Trivia, please contact Catholic Charities Community Relations Manager, Emily Klisares, at 515-237-5078 or eklisares@catholiccharitiesdm.org. | | | |
Catholic Charities Staff Spotlight | |
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Micah Schippers
Micah Schippers joined the Catholic Charities team as the Shelter and Housing Program Manager. Micah comes to Catholic Charities with a wealth of knowledge on Human Services and a passion for serving our community. As Shelter and Housing Program Manager, she is excited to expand and grow programming to better serve those in our community experiencing homelessness.
In her spare time, you can find Micah spending time with her family and three dogs. She also enjoys listening to live music. We are grateful to have Micah as a part of our Catholic Charities’ Team!
Welcome Micah!
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Welcome to Catholic Charities
We are grateful to be growing our Catholic Charities’ team across our different programs.
Welcome to the team!:
- Rudra Sharma, Case Manager, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services
- Lydia Steier, Case Manager, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services
- Edmond Musabyi, Wellness Case Aide, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services
- Abuk Mangok, Case Aide, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services
- Yolanda Emedi, Case Manager, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services
- Abdulahi Kassim, Case Manager, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services
- Samantha Petron, Shelter Staff (Part-Time), Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter
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We Are There: Feeding the Hungry
For too many in our community, food pantries are the difference between eating and not. The Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry serves clients with dignity, putting food on tables and keeping kids healthy and strong. Learn more about all that Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, does.
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Centennial Moment: Catholic Charities Social Justice | |
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In 1970, Bishop Dingman strengthened our focus on social justice and its importance within the Diocese of Des Moines and Catholic Charities. In 1992, efforts were broadened to cover all areas of social justice and respect life efforts with J. Mark Brinkmoeller as its director. Currently, John Huynh, D.Min. serves as Director of Social Justice for Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Des Moines.
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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!
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Keep up with us on Social Media!
Follow Catholic Charities of Des Moines on social media. Be up to date on events, news and our programs!
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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 and more. We impact over 35,000 individuals each year.
Find more information about Catholic Charities here.
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