Catholic Charities, Des Moines Diocese

06/16/2026

A home is more than just four walls. 🏠

The Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter is dedicated to keeping families experiencing homelessness together while providing a safe, welcoming place to rebuild and move forward. As the largest family-centered shelter in the Des Moines metro, our 10-room facility serves families during some of life’s most challenging moments.

You can help make a difference for local families by volunteering, making a donation, or purchasing needed items through our Amazon Wish List. Every act of support helps create a brighter path forward.

Learn more and get involved today.

👉Learn more: catholiccharitiesdm.org/services/emergency-family-shelter
💜Make a gift: catholiccharitiesdm.org/donate-efs
✨Get Involved: catholiccharitiesdm.org/volunteer
🎁Shop our Amazon Wish List: https://a.co/029le3VL

06/12/2026

06/09/2026

Helping good food find its way to those who need it most.

Every day, Catholic Charities Food Pantry volunteers rescue food that might otherwise go to waste. These rescued items are then distributed through our daily food window, helping provide food and hope to hundreds of individuals and families each day.

Interested in making an impact? Volunteer with us or make a donation to help fight hunger in our community.

✨Get Involved: catholiccharitiesdm.org/volunteer
✨Make a gift: catholiccharitiesdm.org/donate-fp

06/05/2026

This week, members from the Reach More group with St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, IA, provided a meal at the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter. They cooked, served and shared the meal with shelter guests.

Providing a meal is a simple yet impactful way to give back and support our neighbors in need. For families experiencing difficult times, a shared meal can bring comfort, encouragement, and a reminder that they are not alone.

We thank the Reach More group for helping make our shelter feel a little more like home. 💜

06/03/2026

Meet our counselors! Lindsay Blackford

Lindsay is working towards her master’s degree in social work and is completing her clinical internship with the Catholic Charities Counseling Program. She is passionate about working with people of all ages, from children and adolescents to adults and older adults.

Lindsay is currently accepting new clients and speaks Spanish! She is committed to providing culturally responsive services that honor each client’s unique experiences, strengths, and goals.

👉Learn More: catholiccharitiesdm.org/counseling
📞Make an appointment: Call 515-237-5045

06/01/2026

05/29/2026

Small acts of generosity can make a big impact for local families. 💜

On June 18, the Catholic Charities Community Resource Coordination Program, in partnership with Bankers Trust Company, will host another Financial Literacy class. During the class, participants will gain valuable knowledge and practical tools to help them better manage their finances.

To further support their success, we are collecting items such as wallets, purses, billfolds, educational toys and books for children, and other essentials. You can help encourage and equip families on their journey toward financial stability by donating an item from our wish list.

👉 View our Wish List: https://a.co/056AgftV

For more information about participating in this class, contact Catholic Charities Community Resource Coordination Program Manager Jordan Banfield at [email protected].

05/27/2026

Summer is right around the corner! ☀️

Are you looking for ways to stay engaged and make a difference? Consider helping maintain the community gardens at the Catholic Charities Food Pantry! Volunteers help plant, w**d, water and maintain our garden beds throughout the summer months. Once ripe, the produce grown is available for our food pantry clients to pick and enjoy.

This volunteer opportunity is a great way to give back, spend time outside, and even get the whole family involved. Whether you have a green thumb or are just getting started, your time and care help nourish both our garden and our community.

👉 Interested? Visit catholiccharitiesdm.org/volunteer to sign up!

05/22/2026

Meet Patrick Tentinger.

For a decade, Patrick has been a dedicated volunteer at the Catholic Charities Food Pantry. He is grateful to be part of such a wonderful group of volunteers and takes pride in knowing he is making a meaningful impact.

At our April Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, he received the Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of his dedication and service.

Thank you Patrick! 💜

👉Read his story: catholiccharitiesdm.org/story/helping-hands-patrick-tentinger

05/19/2026

The Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter recently underwent some much-needed renovations, including new flooring and fresh paint. These updates have made the space brighter, more welcoming, and easier to maintain for the families we serve.

Now, we need your help adding the finishing touches to make it truly feel like home.

Simple items like area rugs, side tables, lamps, and other furnishings can create a warm, comforting environment for families during difficult moments.

✨ You can help make the shelter feel more like home by shopping our Amazon Wish List: https://a.co/029le3VL