DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Area Religious Council has taken a year to study what their typical client needing food might look like.

“Racial disparities among food pantry visitors exist in all communities across Greater Des Moines, but are especially pronounced in suburban communities and growing,” the study says.

“In some cities, certain racial groups are more than ten times as likely to use a food pantry compared with the general population. This points to significantly different financial realities between White – Not Hispanic people and people of color within suburban communities.”

DMARC has conducted this study every year since 2020.

“What we were seeing is that the folks who were visiting those pantries, especially in the suburban communities, tend to be more racially diverse, and tend to be from those communities that have been affected by those challenges over the many decades,” said Blake Willadsen, the Communications Manager at DMARC. “The communities, especially those racial demographic groups who have been disproportionately affected by things like housing policies and other challenges throughout the years are having to utilize things like a food pantry more often.”

Those who use the DMARC pantry say they count on it.

“I really appreciate the pantry,” said Tina Rohm, of Des Moines. “I don’t know how it would go if I had to buy all of my groceries.”

“I use it maybe every couple months just depends on my income,” said Daniel Grimm, of Des Moines. “I come usually when I need to, otherwise I leave it for the people that need it.”

The study covered various groups. Click here to learn more about the study.

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