Support Neighbors in Need this Lent | | |
As Lent approaches, we are called to prayer, fasting and almsgiving, a special opportunity to live out Christ's call to love and serve others. This season invites us to open our hearts more deeply by caring for those who are struggling through acts of charity and generosity. Catholic Charities walks alongside our neighbors living on the margins, lifting them up during times of hardship.
This Lent, let us help you put your faith into action.
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Donate your Gently Used Phones
Do you have an old smartphone sitting in a drawer from your last upgrade? We can put it to good use! Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault often flee with little more than the clothes on their backs. A working emergency phone can be a crucial lifeline to safety. Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program is collecting gently used smartphones that are wiped clean of personal data and come with a charging cord.
You can donate your gently-used smartphone and charger at our downtown Des Moines office location (601 Grand Ave., Des Moines), Monday - Friday,
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If you are in the Council Bluffs area, contact Alex Ginella at 712-256-2059 to arrange pick-up of your donation.
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Parish Involvement Makes Meaningful Impact
For more than 10 years, parishioners at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carlisle, IA, have provided meals twice a month for guests at the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter. Organized through the parish’s Social Concerns Committee, this small act of love makes a meaningful impact for families working to rebuild their lives. St. Elizabeth is a shining example of the impact parish involvement can make on those in need.
“It’s such an important thing to help feed our brothers and sisters in Christ, it’s just like feeding your own family,” said Cathy Smith, a parishioner of St. Elizabeth.
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2026 Honored Parish Partners
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St. Francis of Assisi, West Des Moines, IA
St. Francis of Assisi supports the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter by providing monthly meals for shelter guests. Most recently, parishioners also extended their generosity through Angel Tree donations in support of the emergency family shelter.
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Saints John and Paul, Altoona, IA
Parishioners at Saints John and Paul gave close to 800 hours of service at the Catholic Charities Food Pantry last year. We are grateful for their commitment to serve those in need.
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St. Pius X, Urbandale, IA
For more than 30 years, St. Pius has partnered with the Catholic Charities Food Pantry to host our annual Giving Thanksgiving event, supporting more than 680 families last year alone. St. Pius consistently contributes hundreds of turkeys to help make this event possible.
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What the New Tax Law Changes Mean for You
Nonitemizers: Even if you take the standard deduction – like most households – you can now deduct $1,000 (single filers)/$2,000 (married/joint filers) in cash gifts to public charities like ours each year.
Itemizers: Only the portion of your annual gift above 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) is deductible. To maximize your tax benefit, you might consider bunching your giving: combining multiple years of donations into one. Or you could use appreciated assets, such as gifts of stock, to be efficient.
Donors age 70 ½+: A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) sends your gift straight from your IRA to Catholic Charities. It is excluded from your income, so the new floor and cap don’t apply.
Corporate partners: Under the 1% floor, companies are considering bunching charitable giving into fewer, larger, multiyear commitments, while others are shifting their charitable support to marketing or workforce-engagement expenditures – both of which can be achieved here at Catholic Charities.
| | | | Catholic Charities on the Radio | | Members from Catholic Charities were recently featured on The Catholic Morning Show on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network! Carrie Potter, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program Manager, joined to highlight the vital work of the program and share how listeners can support our mission. Barb Graham, Mental Health Clinical Supervisor, was on to discuss the Catholic Charities Counseling Program and how listeners can access services. | | | | | | |
Did you know 1 in 3 teens experience dating violence?
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time to shed light on an issue that affects young people in every community. Dating violence can include emotional, verbal, physical, or digital abuse, and many teens may not recognize the warning signs. The Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program partners with area schools to raise awareness, helping teens identify unhealthy behaviors and seek help when needed.
Join us in supporting safe, healthy relationships for teens. Learn the signs, start conversations, and share resources, because awareness can make all the difference.
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Now Accepting Rice Bowl Grant Applications
CRS Rice Bowl is coordinated by Catholic Charities in partnership with the Diocese of Des Moines and Catholic Relief Services (CRS). This Lenten program is carried out in Catholic parishes throughout the Diocese. Seventy-five percent of funds raised support international relief and development efforts, while the remaining 25 percent are distributed locally through a diocesan grant process to support food programs and other initiatives that address the root causes of poverty.
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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!
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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!
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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 33,000 individuals each year.
Find more information about Catholic Charities here.
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