Website: http://

In its fifth year, Meals from the Market offers vendors and patrons an opportunity to give back to the community by providing fresh food to the homeless and hungry in central Iowa. The program is a collaborative effort between First Federal Savings Bank of Iowa, Hope Ministries, Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) and the Downtown Farmers’ Market.

Meals from the Market program will be open to collect donations from both market vendors and patrons at a booth located at Second and Court Avenue on the north side of the street. Volunteers from First Federal of Iowa will take collections every Saturday through Oct. 27 from 8:30 a.m. – noon. After the Market, the fresh food is then taken to Hope Ministries and DMARC where the food contributions are committed to creating meals to feed the hungry in our community and is also sent to ten central Iowa emergency food pantry sites.

Market vendors, patrons, and the entire community are invited to help with this effort. Any type of food donations will be accepted and appreciated. Because the donation is going to Hope Ministries and/or DMARC, it is tax deductible and receipts will be available upon request. Acceptable food donations include: produce, baked goods, canned goods, and prepared food – nearly everything you will find at the Market. Home gardeners and bakers who find themselves with extra are also encouraged to donate to the program. Home gardeners are encouraged to plant an extra row to donate to Meals from the Market.

Meals from the Market was created three years ago due to suggestions and requests from Market vendors who have asked Market organizers to coordinate a place to drop off food and products that didn’t sell during the Market.

— BROUGHT TO YOU BY —