Catholic Charities Receives $5,000 Grant from Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa | | |
Catholic Charities recently received a $5,000 grant from the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa in support of our Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program. The grant will be used to purchase new beds and bedding for the program’s emergency shelter. The shelter offers a safe place for women, men and children to begin healing from their trauma.
We thank the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa for its support.
| | Around Catholic Charities | | |
Pathway to Employment
Catholic Charities Community Resource Coordination program held its first Pathway to Employment event. Our staff and volunteers worked one-on-one with clients to set up email accounts, build resumes and apply for jobs, opening new doors and opportunities for our clients. We’re excited to continue offering events that uplift and empower those we serve.
A huge thank you to our volunteers who contributed to the event’s success.
| |  | |
Get Involved with Catholic Charities this Summer
Are you looking to add some service to your summer? Catholic Charities has great volunteer opportunities for everyone! We are always looking for dedicated individuals and groups who want to help serve our neighbors in need.
For more information on how to get involved, contact Catholic Charities Community Relations Manager, Emily Klisares, at 515-237-5078 or eklisares@catholiccharitiesdm.org.
| |
|
Register Today! Tommy Leto’s Poker Run
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Start time: 3 p.m.
$75 – Individual Ticket
$100 – Couples Ticket
Join us for a poker run in honor of the late Catholic Charities Food Pantry Program Manager, Tom Leto. All proceeds will benefit the Catholic Charities Food Pantry.
Don’t worry, no poker skills (or running shoes) required! A poker run is a fun-filled event where participants travel to different locations, collecting playing cards along the way. At the end, the best poker hand wins a prize!
Visit our three designated locations between 3 – 5 p.m., collecting a playing card at each stop, then head to the Catholic Pastoral Center (601 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50309) at 5 p.m. to collect your final cards. Will you have the best poker hand?
Come and enjoy prizes, refreshments, and more!
| | | |
Donors Like You:
Timothy Yates Heggen Humanitarian Foundation
| | |
The Timothy Yates Heggen Humanitarian Foundation (TYH Foundation) acknowledges that its support of Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter has a direct impact on families in need. The connection with Catholic Charities began when members of the TYH Foundation’s board of directors volunteered to serve a meal and take a tour of the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter. Jan Kuhl, CEO and one of the foundation’s founding members, recalls being deeply impressed by the shelter’s commitment to supporting families who are experiencing homelessness.
Shortly after this initial visit, the TYH Foundation began funding bi-monthly grocery orders to help provide healthy breakfast foods for shelter guests. Over time, the foundation’s involvement grew. Today, the TYH Foundation provides weekly groceries for the shelter with a focus on providing fresh fruits, vegetables and meats.
“We are very small, but we are very committed to staying with the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter and helping as much as we can,” said Jan. “Generosity is small acts of kindness, giving hope to people in need, and that is what the shelter does every day for those families.”
| | Catholic Charities on the Radio | | |
Members from Catholic Charities have recently been featured on The Catholic Morning Show on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network. Emily Klisares, Community Relations Manager, joined the show to talk about volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved with Catholic Charities this summer. Kelyn Anker, Director of Programs, was on to discuss our new Catholic Charities Community Resource Coordination program.
Thank you, Iowa Catholic Radio, for featuring our programs and opportunities!
| | | | | |
|
Volunteers Needed! Praise in the Park
Catholic Charities is excited to be a part of the upcoming Praise in the Park, hosted by the Diocese of Des Moines. We are looking for volunteers to help staff our Catholic Charities booth during the event. Below are the volunteer slots we still have open:
- 12 – 2 p.m. (1 spot open)
- 2 – 4 p.m. (2 spots open)
Volunteers will help greet visitors, share information about our services (which we will provide), and represent Catholic Charities in a warm and welcoming way.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Catholic Charities Community Relations Manager, Emily Klisares, at 515-237-5078 or eklisares@catholiccharitiesdm.org.
| | |
Saturday, July 19, 2025
12 - 6 p.m.
Jamie Hurd Amphitheater
4100 Mills Civic Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50265
| | | | |
Community Health Information Fair
Sunday, July 13, 2025
12:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
1627 Grand Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50265
MyIowaHealth – MiSaludIowa is holding a Health Screening and Vaccine Information Fair this Sunday, July 13, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines. The event will include free health screenings and educational resources for the community. Catholic Charities will be there to share information on our programs.
| | | |
10th Annual Community Baby Shower - Donations Needed!
The Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is preparing for their 10th Annual Community Baby Shower coming up this October. This event is open to all expecting mothers and families with newborns and will include informational sessions, community resources, free baby gear and essentials and more!
We are in need of donations to help make this event a success! Some of our most needed items include:
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Baby lotion
- Baby body wash and shampoo
- Washcloths
- Baby towels
- Baby blankets
- Diaper ointment and cream
Any other baby items are welcome. For questions, location of drop off, or to contact someone to pick up items, call
712-256-2059 ext. 105 or ext. 104.
| | | |
Keep up with us on Social Media!
Follow Catholic Charities of Des Moines on social media. Be up to date on events, news and our programs!
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow Us on X
| |
Your Support Serves Thousands in Central and Southwest Iowa
Catholic Charities' Annual Appeal is the primary funding source for Catholic Charities along with government and private grant funding.
Donors who commit to an annual gift help strengthen and empower individuals and families through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Consider an annual gift that will help all year!
| | |
Serving those in need within the Diocese of Des Moines
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, serves those in need within the 23 counties of the Diocese of Des Moines in southwest Iowa. Our mission to empower individuals and strengthen families applies to anyone in need in the area, regardless of demographic. Our mission is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Our programs and services include refugee resettlement, professional counseling, food pantry, domestic violence and sexual assault shelter and services, emergency family shelter and more. We impact over 35,000 individuals each year.
Find more information about Catholic Charities here.
| | | | |
