THANK YOU to all who supported Catholic Charities during this year’s Giving Tuesday. We are excited to share that we raised more than $8,000! Because of you and your generosity, we are able to further support the life-changing work happening in each one of our vital programs. Every gift made, no matter the size, makes a true difference. Thank you! | |
Around Catholic Charities | |
|
Join Us! 2025 Shamrocks and Shenanigans
Join us for our annual fundraiser, Shamrocks & Shenanigans on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Mainframe Studios in Downtown Des Moines (900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309). Prepare yourself for a unique evening of Irish fun with a special guest appearance from Most Reverend Mark J. Seitz, Bishop of the Diocese of El Paso! Proceeds from this event support our vital programs!
Registration is now open!
| |  |
|
Catholic Charities Food Pantry Fed Hundreds this Thanksgiving
The Catholic Charities Food Pantry’s annual Giving Thanks Giving event supported more than 660 families this Thanksgiving. For close to 30 years, this event has helped food pantry clients celebrate by providing them with a turkey or other holiday meat, along with sides including bread, vegetables, potatoes, milk and a dessert. We are grateful to our long-time partner, St. Pius X parish in Urbandale, IA, for their support and generosity, this year donating 300 turkeys.
Food and financial contributions from other Catholic Charities donors and partners also contributed to the event’s success.
| |
Stories that Inspire: Vinh Nguyen | |
|
Vinh Nguyen, a former Catholic Charities Refugee Services client, is grateful for the life-changing experiences he has had with Catholic Charities. Vinh was born in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. In his early 20’s he boarded a boat with more than one hundred other individuals in the hope of a better life. The journey was a long and dangerous one. After a week at sea, his group was saved, taken in and sponsored by Catholic Charities.
He is grateful for the care and encouragement Catholic Charities gave him after arriving in Des Moines. Through this support, he started on his own journey to success. Vinh began working with Des Moines Public Schools and became a teacher. During his tenure, he worked with several refugee and immigrant students to help them succeed. He also helped shape the English Language Learner Program which now has around 7,000 students enrolled. He continues to support refugees in our community through his work with Lutheran Services of Iowa.
“I often say, I am who I am because I was picked up by Catholic Charities. If I wasn’t, who knows where I would be. I could be a completely different person,” said Vinh.
| |
Catholic Charities Holiday Giving Guide | |
Interested in helping those in need but not sure how or where to start? Your desire to help the less fortunate can be activated through Catholic Charities!
| |
|
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program
- Make a monetary donation in support of the program's vital work.
- Help stock our pantry by collecting toilet paper, toothpaste, body wash and other toiletry items for clients.
- Call and ask about volunteer opportunities.
| |
|
Emergency Family Shelter
- Provide a meal or volunteer your time to get groceries for shelter guests.
- Make a donation to help us update our outdated kitchen appliances.
- Donate winter hats, gloves and coats to help keep our shelter clients warm.
| |
|
Food Pantry
- Volunteer to distribute food.
- Create cookie kits for clients to make Christmas cookies at home.
- Collect easy to carry blankets for guests visiting the food pantry.
- Donate personal care items to hand out to our clients.
| |
|
Refugee Services
- Donate winter apparel items to help refugee families during their first Iowa winter.
- Help set up new refugee family apartments.
- Collect needed household items to support newly arrived refugee families.
| |
|
Volunteer
We are dedicated to caring for our neighbors in need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We depend on our dedicated volunteers to help us deliver services with care and compassion while living out our mission to Empower Individuals and Strengthen Families.
Whether it’s an hour of your time or picking up a recurring shift, you are making an impact.
| |
|
Supply the Mission
As the colder, winter weather begins, we find that many of our Catholic Charities clients across all programs are in need of winter items to help them brave the cold. We are currently in need of blankets, hats, gloves, and hand warmers.
You can get involved and help supply the mission by making a donation!
| |
More Catholic Charities News | |
|
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Geri Boesen, a former Catholic Charities Board Member, consistently gifts Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Des Moines with her time, creativity and talents. For several years, she has set up and decorated the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Pastoral Center at 601 Grand Ave in downtown Des Moines. She also decorated the planters outside of the building as well to create a welcoming and festive environment for staff and clients.
The Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter is also looking very festive. Earlier this month, team members and guests of the shelter spent time decorating for the season.
| | |
|
Support Influx of Catholic Charities Refugee Services Clients
As you begin to clean out your closet in anticipation for incoming new holiday goodies, consider donating your gently used items to Catholic Charities! Catholic Charities Refugee Services is expecting an increase in arrivals during the upcoming winter months. We need your help to make sure these new clients have all they need to thrive in their new home.
Some of our most needed items include:
- Pots and pans
- Kitchen essentials
- Bed sheets
- Towels
- Blankets
- Winter gear
- Dining room table and chairs
- Household cleaning supplies
| |
|
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
7 p.m.
St. Pius X Catholic Church
3663 66th St., Urbandale, IA 50322
| |
|
Guardians of the Gift – Rights and Responsibilities in Catholic Ethics
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 next session, he will be joined by the Iowa Catholic Conference and will break apart how Catholic Social Teaching and ethics overlap with our civic rights and responsibilities.
Speaking sessions will be held at different parishes around the Diocese of Des Moines.
| | | |
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!
| |
| |
|
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
| |
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.
| | | | |
