Friends of Catholic Worker Newsletter

Helping those in need to find their means

Friendsofcatholicworker.com
DES MOINES CATHOLIC FUND
PO BOX 1386, ANKENEY IOWA 50021

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The Des Moines Catholic Worker Fund, Inc (AKA Friends of Catholic Worker) is a separate 501(c)(3) organization from the Des Moines Catholic Worker

  • QUARTERLY UPDATE

    December 2025

    FOOD, FOOD, FOOD

    The Friends continue to fundraise for the meals served at the Bishop Dingman House on 7th street in Des Moines.  700 meals weekly, 3000 monthly. We estimate 36,000 free meals annually. Our meal costs remain steady at about $4,000 monthly. We have located wholesale outlets for our most costly items, fresh meat and vegetables. Paying wholesale has allowed us to continue to provide the same number of meals at a near constant cost.

    COATS, HATS, GLOVES AND BLANKETS

    On Tuesday November 25th, the Second Annual Winter Gear Giveaway took place at the Bishop Dingman House. 160 Coats, Hats, Gloves and Blankets were distributed to the low income and homeless community. Cost of the merchandise exceeded $13,000 and was paid for through specific event fundraising and Grants. 

    GRANTS, GRANTS, GRANTS

    We have been diligent in pursuing grants to support the activities of the Des Moines Catholic Worker Community. As the IRS/501C3 fundraising arm of the DMCWH, we are eligible to apply for many funding opportunities that CWH alone would not be eligible for. Listed below is the Grant support we have received in 2025:

    1. The Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque: $6,000 split between winter gear and storeroom supplies.
    2. Polk County: $4,000 for winter gear and $3,000 for meat, thank you Supervisors McCoy and Connolly!
    3. KC 5038, Ankeny $250 quarterly for meat and $2,000 for prepared meals.
    4. Casey’s: $500 for coats and $250 in gas cards
    5. OLIH Parish, Ankeny: basket pass and other gifts $6500
    6. Northwest Area Foundation, St. Paul: $250,000. (not a typo, continue reading)
    7. DMIEC: a Des Moines area faith community; $5,000
    8. Veridian Credit Union $1,000

    WARMING CENTER GRANT

    Yes, It’s a big Grant for a small non-profit charity such as ours. But there are big plans a brewing to open a Warming and Cooling Center for those days of temperature extremes that are declared as an emergency. Typically, there are between 20-30 days each year that are deemed dangerous. We (the Friends) have been asked to operate a facility that would be open 24 hours a day during those emergency days. We have named the project Sanctuary Station. Sanctuary Station would be a year-round hub for overnight warming and cooling center, pop-up health clinics, immunizations, a legal clinic, lockers, showers, mail service and more. The grant monies from the Northwest Area Foundation are to be used for startup funding for this project.

    INFASTRUCTURE NEEDS

    While we plan for the future with the Sanctuary Station Project, there are immediate needs for infrastructure improvement.

    The Des Moines Catholic Worker community resides in four houses in their near north side location. These homes were all built-in the 1880’s and have continuing needs. DM Catholic Worker founder Frank Cordaro reports that windows and doors need to be replaced in all four housed and two of the houses that are three stories are in need of fire escapes Contact Frank Cordaro or Ray Blase if you want to support the infrastructure needs.

    RMD/IRA/DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

    As an IRS/501C3 Charity, we can receive your tax advantaged donation directly from your financial institution. Please remember us as you make your financial decisions for the year 2026.

    HOW CAN YOU HELP?

    Your continued support is needed for any of the activities mentioned above. Any amount is appreciated and spent wisely.  Checks can be mailed to Friends of Catholic Worker, PO Box 1386 Ankeny, Iowa 50021. On-Line donations at our website FRIENDSOFCATHOLICWORKER.COM via PayPal.

    Thank You and Have a Healthy and prosperous 2026!

  • QUARTERLY UPDATE

    HISTORY OF DES MOINES CATHOLIC WORKER

    The Des Moines Catholic Worker House (DMCWH) was established in August of 1976, following the precepts articulated by Dorothy Day and the National Catholic Worker Movement. Those precepts include feeding poor and homeless people, providing them clothing and hygienic items, providing showers and support for the less fortunate. These activities have been happening at DMCWH for nearly 50 uninterrupted years. In 2022, three longtime supporters of the Des Moines Catholic Worker combined to establish a 501(c)(3) charitable fundraising arm for DMCWH, The Des Moines Catholic Worker Fund, Inc, AKA Friends of Catholic Worker. A website for online donations was launched in 2024 and can be found at: Friendsofcatholicworker.com.   

    DES MOINES CATHOLIC WORKER TODAY

    The Des Moines Catholic Worker currently has meals five days per week. They serve a three o’clock meal on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and a six o’clock meal on Tuesday, Thursday Saturday and Sunday. Free meals served average 3000 per month, 36,000 per year. The cost to serve 3000 meals is incredibly inexpensive per serving, a cost of $1.33 per meal or $4000 per month. The reason costs are so low is because there are no paid staff at DMCWH – it’s run only by volunteers and select meals are catered and donated by church groups or other supporters. The doors at DMCWH are open for showers, free clothing, and a food and hygiene pantry five days per week. A legal clinic is staffed one day per week by a paralegal from Iowa Legal Aid to help clients with a diverse universe of legal issues.

    DES MOINES CATHOLIC WORKER TOMORROW

    The Friends of Catholic Worker is engaged in discussions with a number of organizations to plan and implement a variety of potential services to DMCWH clientele. These services include a potential warming/cooling center for days of temperature extremes; pop-up clinics from Broadlawns to include vaccinations and immunizations; expanded legal and mental health services to name a few.

    The most immediate need is an annual fundraising effort to buy and distribute winter gear and coats prior to the upcoming cold season. On Tuesday November 25, 2025 we will hopefully distribute over 160 winter coats, 120 sweatshirts and other cold weather gear to those in need. Below is a picture inside of the Dingman house during the 2024 winter gear giveaway.

    HOW CAN YOU HELP?

    Your tax-deductible donation can be mailed to Friends of Catholic Worker, PO Box 1386, Ankeny, Iowa 50021. Online donations can be made via PayPal at Friendsofcatholicworker.com.

    Individuals or groups who wish to volunteer to cook and serve a meal can contact the Des Moines Catholic Worker House at 515-214-1030 to get on the calendar.

    Thank you for your generosity, your support is needed now more than ever!