Mobile Food Pantry to Launch at DART Central Station

This Thursday, March 1, from 4 – 6 p.m., the DMARC Mobile Food Pantry will be in service for the first time at DART Central Station, 620 Cherry Street in Des Moines. The Mobile Food Pantry will be operating at DART Central Station every first and third Thursday of the month from 4 – 6 p.m. going forward.

“DART’s mission is to enrich lives, connect communities and expand opportunities. Partnering to bring the Mobile Food Pantry to DART Central Station helps us to live out our mission by making it possible for people to access two critical services in the same location,” said DART Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Presutti.

With the addition of the site at DART Central Station, the DMARC Mobile Food Pantry now serves 12 locations across Greater Des Moines. In 2017, the Mobile Food Pantry served an average of 410 individuals every month.

“It’s exciting to see the partnership roll together to help even more people in need,” said Joe Dolack, Mobile Food Pantry Manager for DMARC. “DART is a natural partner for us in our mission to reduce the transportation obstacle for those accessing food.”

For more information and for a full schedule of Mobile Food Pantry locations, please visit dmarcunited.org/food/mobile.

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is the public transportation provider in and around Polk County. DART operates a family of transportation services that connects thousands of people every day to jobs, school, medical appointments, entertainment and more. For more information about DART services, schedules, route changes, or directions to the nearest DART stop, visit the website at ridedart.com or call (515) 283-8100.

About DMARC

The DMARC Food Pantry Network consists of 13 separate pantry sites, mobile food pantry locations, a centralized warehouse, and numerous community partners. Established in 1976, it is the largest food pantry system in Iowa. Pantry sites are located in West Des Moines, Ankeny, Clive, Johnston, and Urbandale, with eight sites in Des Moines. The DMARC Food Pantry Network helps meet short-term food needs when families do not have enough to eat. Once each month, families can receive a free, three-day supply of nutritionally balanced food. In 2017, DMARC assisted more than 46,000 individuals in the greater Des Moines community; half of whom were children and youth.