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