By Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register
Des Moines, IA-Food pantries across Iowa are seeing record numbers of people in need this year leading into the holiday season.
October alone was the busiest month in all 50 years of service for the Des Moines Area Religious Council, serving 28,663 unique individuals. Months leading up to October also saw high demand, DMARC Chief Executive Officer Matt Unger told the Register in an email on Nov. 18.
For the first time, more than 10,000 of the recipients of DMARC’s services were children and young adults, ages 0-17. DMARC has seen an average of 1,600 a day in November so far.
Here are some locations where residents in the Des Moines metro can get a free meal for Thanksgiving.
Urbandale Food Pantry
The Urbandale Food Pantry provides turkeys as a protein option when clients check in for a full shopping trip. It is not in addition to any of its services. The turkeys are first come first served, so once they are gone the pantry is out of stock for the season. Urbandale Food Pantry will close at noon on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
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- Time: Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon
- Location: 7611 Douglas Ave. Suite 34-35, Urbandale
Waukee Christian Services
Waukee Christian Services will offer special Thanksgiving bonus items to clients such as a turkey or a ham. This allows families to choose the culturally appropriate foods that suit their family’s celebration, according to the Waukee Christian Services’ website. This resource is only available to residents of Dallas County. Thanksgiving meal items are available until the pantry runs out. The final day of the month to stop by Waukee Christian Services is Nov. 27.
- Time: The pantry is open from noon to 6 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays. It is closed on Fridays and Sundays.
- Location: Westview Church at 1155 SE Boone Drive, Waukee
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Living Waters Fellowship
Living Waters Fellowship offers a free Thanksgiving meal on Saturday, Nov. 23. Visitors can also pick up free winter coats, hats and gloves. It is open to anyone and the resources are provided by Heart for Des Moines, Alpha Women’s Center and Living Waters Counseling.
- Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23
- Location: 3000 SE 22nd St., Des Moines
Children and Family Urban Movement
Children and Family Urban Movement will host a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Tuesday, Nov. 26. It is open to anyone who is in need of a meal for the holiday. There is a takeout option and no RSVP is required.
- Time: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26
- Location: 1548 Eighth St., Des Moines
4 All Kids
4 All Kids, a local nonprofit, offers free Thanksgiving Day meals from Hot Tamale Catering and Cafe. Meals are traditional style.
- Time: 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28
- Location: 4121 Fleur Drive, inside Cash Saver Food Outlet
- Contact: 515-402-7167
Hope Ministries
Hope Ministries is offering a free turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day from noon to 1 p.m. All are welcome and no reservations are needed.
Reservations are already closed for Hope Ministries’ free in-home delivery. This year, the organization took more reservations for Thanksgiving meals than ever before.
- Time: Noon to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28
- Location: Hope Cafe, 1310 Sixth Ave., Des Moines
Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Since 1984, the Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner has provided meals to more than 2,000 people at Chuck’s Restaurant. It offers dine-in, carry-out or delivery for Des Moines residents. No documentation or proof of income is needed.
- Time: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28
- Location: Chuck’s Restaurant, 3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines
- Contact: 515-875-5229 for meal delivery
If we missed a free Thanksgiving meal around the Des Moines metro, email [email protected] to be added to the list.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
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