Meals from the Heartland

Food & Essentials

Meals from the Heartland packages two types of nutritious meals at their Patty Cownie Packaging Center in West Des Moines. Their Hearty Pack contains rice, soy protein, dried vegetables (carrot, onion, tomato, celery, cabbage, and bell pepper), and added vitamins and minerals — each bag holds six servings and is generally sent to international partner organizations such as orphanages and schools in developing countries.

Their Taco Mac meal contains enriched pasta, textured vegetable protein (soy flour), and a vitamin and mineral fortified cheese mix. Each bag also holds six servings and is primarily distributed to food-insecure families and individuals in the United States.

These packaged meals are not distributed directly at this location. Instead, they're sent to Iowa food banks and pantries — including DMARC, Backpack Buddies, the Food Bank of Southern Iowa, the Salvation Army, and dozens of church-affiliated pantries — as well as to domestic and international partner organizations around the world.

Ways to Give

You can donate online at mealsfromtheheartland.org/donate or send a check to: Meals from the Heartland, 357 Lincoln St., West Des Moines, Iowa 50265. Meals from the Heartland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations are tax deductible. Ninety cents of every dollar donated goes directly toward the meal packaging process.

There are also several other ways to give:

• United Way: You can designate your United Way gift to Meals from the Heartland.
• Employer match: Over 500 local companies offer match giving programs. Check with your HR department to see what's available.
• Thrivent: The organization is a Thrivent Choice-enrolled nonprofit eligible for grant dollars and fee-free donations.
• Hy-Vee One Step Cereal program: Learn more at Hy-Vee's website.

You can reach the organization by phone at 515-473-9530.

How to Join the Team?

Volunteer packaging shifts run Tuesday through Saturday, two hours each, at the Patty Cownie Packaging Center in West Des Moines. Shifts are first-come, first-served, and you can sign up individually or with others at mealsfromtheheartland.galaxydigital.com.

Groups of 20 or more are asked to connect ahead of time by calling 515-473-9530 or by email. For volunteer roles outside of meal packaging, you can apply through the Other Ways to Volunteer Application on their website.