The DMARC Food Pantry at West Des Moines Human Services is open to everyone. There are no income or residency requirements, so you don't need to live in West Des Moines or meet a specific income level to receive food. Staff may ask for ID for each household member during your visit, but it isn't required to receive food.
If you'd like to use the Anytime Food Program, no ID or registration is needed at all.
When using the Anytime Food Program, bring your own reusable bags. Some of the items distributed there may be close to or slightly past their "best by" date — they're safe to eat but not for resale.
If West Des Moines Schools close because of bad weather, the food pantry closes too. If schools open with a two-hour delay, the pantry skips its morning hours and opens from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm instead. On Tuesday evenings, plan to arrive before 6:00 pm since that's when staff stop accepting new visitors.
The food pantry provides fresh produce, meat, canned goods, and other essential food items. At every pantry visit you can also select personal care items once a month, including soap, deodorant, shampoo, oral hygiene products, laundry detergent, toilet paper, feminine care products, and diapers.
Through the Anytime Food Program, free bakery goods, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and snacks are available each weekday morning outside the building. Items vary day to day and are given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
At the food pantry, you can select food items from the shelves yourself during your visit. Personal care items are also available to choose from, once a month per household.
The Anytime Food Program is a separate outdoor distribution. Items are handed out at the southeast corner of the building starting at 8:30 am, Monday through Friday, rain or shine.
West Des Moines Human Services offers many programs beyond food:
Food and personal care item donations are welcome year-round. Drop items off at the donation doors on the southeast corner of the building and ring the doorbell — a staff member or volunteer will help you and provide a receipt. Homemade or prepared foods can't be accepted due to health and safety rules.
You can also order directly from the Amazon Food Wish List or Amazon Personal Care Wish List and have items shipped to the pantry.
For monetary gifts, donate online at website or mail a check payable to WDM Human Services to 139 6th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265. West Des Moines residents can also add a monthly donation to their Water Works bill. To arrange a donation outside of regular hours, call 515-222-3663 or email HumanServices@wdm.iowa.gov.
Volunteers are needed in the Food Pantry, Food Rescue, Clothing Closet, and ELL classes. You must be at least 14 years old, and everyone needs to complete an application, a release form, and a background check. Most shifts run Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, with Tuesday evening shifts from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.
To get started, complete a volunteer application and a release form. Students can fill out a student volunteer application. If your employer offers Volunteer Time Off (VTO), complete a VTO application or email HSvolunteer@wdm.iowa.gov for details.
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Suggest an updateWest Des Moines Human Services runs a DMARC Food Pantry that's open to anyone who needs food help. There are no residency requirements, and no income test to use the pantry. They describe themselves a
See pantry page for visit details
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