Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services Teams Up with

T-Mobile 

Earlier this month, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services teamed up with

T-Mobile to provide free home internet gateways and 24 months of WiFi services, courtesy of T-Mobile, for our refugee clients. We are grateful for this great collaboration with T-Mobile and the impact this will have on our refugee clients.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence is defined as a purposeful pattern of coercive behavior used to maintain power and control over one's intimate partner. About 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience some form of domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program provides free and confidential services to those experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault. Our dedicated team of advocates is there to assist survivors however they need.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call our 24-hour crisis line 712-328-0266 or toll-free at

888-612-0266.

Increased Efficiency at the Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry



Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry recently purchased a new pallet stacker thanks to grant funding and donor generosity. This pallet stacker has already been put to great use and has made it more effective and efficient to unload and distribute food to our clients. A special thanks to Iowa Gardening For Good for the recent donation of fresh watermelon. Thanks to the pallet stacker, a task that would have taken hours was done in minutes and we were able to start distributing watermelons right away. 

Supporting Families in Need with Grace

Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter works to keep families who are experiencing homelessness together. Our shelter provides a safe and uplifting place where families can gain the skills they need to thrive and leave feeling empowered to live a successful, sustainable life. Our Emergency Family Shelter is the largest family shelter in Des Moines and we are grateful for the generous support we receive from the community to support this vital ministry. 

Once Upon A Child Provides Coats for Refugee Clients

Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services recently received a generous donation of dozens of winter coats from Once Upon A Child in Urbandale, IA. These coats will support our refugee clients as they rebuild and settle into their new community. We thank Once Upon a Child for their generosity and support.

We Are There: In All the Ways That Count

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines is committed to helping our neighbors prosper. We offer a hand-up to those who struggle in central and southwest Iowa, treating them with dignity and love. Learn about services and volunteer opportunities. 

Together We Thrive: Family and Community in Catholic Thought

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 

7 p.m.

St. Patrick Catholic Church

4 Valley View Dr, Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Catholic Charities and Diocese of Des Moines Director of Social Justice, John Huynh, D.Min., continues his monthly speaking series on Catholic Social Teaching. This month, he will be discussing the importance of family and community.

Speaking sessions will be held at different parishes around the Diocese of Des Moines.

Giving Thanks Giving

Wednesday, November 20 and Thursday, November 21

Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry

1815 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines, IA 50316

Catholic Charites’ Food Pantry is preparing for our annual Giving Thanks Giving event coming up Wednesday, November 20 and Thursday, November 21. During these two days, hundreds of turkeys and other holiday meats will be given out to food pantry clients to help them celebrate the holidays. We are grateful to St. Pius X parish in Urbandale, IA, for their generous donations of turkeys as well as the Food Bank of Iowa and DMARC for their support. Last year, we were able to give out a record 580 holiday meals. With the growing number of food pantry clients, we are expecting to impact even more individuals this year.

If you would like to get involved by donating a turkey or side dish items (potatoes, corn, green beans, buns, etc.), please contact Catholic Charities Food Pantry Program Manager, Tom Leto at tleto@catholiccharitiesdm.org or 515-262-7260. 

Giving Tuesday - Unleash Generosity

Tuesday, December 3

Show your support for those in need. 

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. Join us for Giving Tuesday 2024 – December 3 – as we stand together in unity, using the power of generosity to help our neighbors in need. 

Together we can do something BIG! 

Stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved this Giving Tuesday. 

Catholic Charities Fall Program Needs

It is hard to believe that fall is now here! If you or your organization is looking for a way to help others in the community this fall, Catholic Charities has you covered! We have created a list of our programs' most needed items for the upcoming season.

Take it to the next level and consider participating in our Catholic Charities 100 Challenge by donating 100 items in celebration of our centennial year!