Unique Individuals Assisted (2017-Present)
The DMARC Food Pantry Network has seen a consistent rise in usage since early 2022 as the ending of pandemic era benefits, record inflation, and growing cost of living has forced more and more people to seek out a food pantry for the first time.

November Becomes Busiest Month on Record
In November 2024, 29,627 unique individuals were assisted by the DMARC Food Pantry Network
27 ZIP codes had 100+ residents utilize the DMARC Food Pantry Network.
November 2024
29,627
unique individuals assisted
32,299
Total pantry services (includes repeat visits)
1,472
Average unique individuals per day
2,002
first-time food pantry visitors
28,664
unique individuals – October 2024 (previous month)
| November demographics | |
|---|---|
| Children (0-17 years old) | 35% |
| Adults (18-64), working or disabled | 35% |
| Adults (18-64), unemployed | 20% |
| seniors (65 or older) | 10% |
Last Year at a glance…

Fiscal year 2024 overview
(July 2023-June 2024)
- Busiest 12 month period on record.
- 31% of all who were assisted utilized a food pantry just once.
- 4% utilized the DMARC Food Pantry all 12 months.
70,776
unique individuals assisted
18% increase from previous 12 months324,417
Total pantry services (includes repeat visits)
1 IN 4
Des Moines residents utilized the DMARC Food Pantry Network
22,940
first-time food pantry visitors
19% increase from previous 12 monthsOVER 1 IN 3
people assisted were 0-17 years old.