During the holiday season families gather to enjoy delicious meals, exchange gifts and celebrate the year gone by. But for a number of underprivileged Des Moines residents the holiday season can be a particularly difficult time. Share the spirit of giving with your kids during the holidays by donating to a local charity. To help you out we’ve rounded up a list of local non-profit organizations that support kids and families in Des Moines.
Children and Families of Iowa
1111 University Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50314 • (515) 288-1981 • http://cfiowa.org/
People come to Children & Families of Iowa when their lives are falling apart. They come because they have nowhere else to turn and they have nothing left—sometimes, not even hope. The organization is there to help them pick up the pieces, listen and offer solutions. They are there to give families hope that they can have happier tomorrows.
Chrysalis Foundation
300 E Locust Street # 150 • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 255-1853 • http://www.chrysalisfdn.org/
Chrysalis invests in the safety, security, education, and economic empowerment of girls and women in Des Moines. The Foundation believes every dollar and every volunteer hour counts, that’s why 100% of every donated dollar and hour goes directly towards increasing resources and opportunities for women and girls in the greater Des Moines area.
March of Dimes
2910 Westown Parkway # 301 • West Des Moines, IA 50266 • (515) 243-2244 • http://www.marchofdimes.org/#
The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes Iowa Chapter also partners with local medical groups and organizations to establish guidelines for how to care for pregnant women and premature babies. They also provide grants to researchers working to understand birth defects and premature birth and to find treatments and solutions.
Urbandale Community Action Network (UCAN)
4103 72nd Street • Urbandale, IA 50322 • (515) 278-3936 • http://urbandalenetwork.org/
The Urbandale Community Action Network (UCAN) serves as the umbrella organization for several human service initiatives that serve kids and families in Urbandale. Examples of programs include: Shoes that Fit, Holiday Store, Back Pack Buddies, Movies in the Park, etc. UCAN works collaboratively with local government, churches, civic and community organizations, not for profits, citizens and the business community to accomplish common goals.
Youth Emergency Services and Shelter (YESS)
918 SE 11th Street • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 282-9377 • http://www.yessiowa.org/
YESS is a safety net of services designed to care for children and their families when they need it most. What began in 1973 as a teen runaway shelter has grown into a nationally-accredited organization serving 1,900 children per year. When a family turns to YESS for help, they provide a range of services to meet the physical, mental, and social health needs of children and create an environment where families can thrive.
Together we can make this holiday season better and brighter for those not expecting it. Please share and let us know how your family gives back to the greater Des Moines community.
Good morning,
I am doing some legwork for my dad. He and my mom had a ball card shop for several years but they retired and my mom passed away. He is now going through literally thousands of cards and painstakingly and lovingly putting together boxes of 50 cards each of notable players and would like to donate them to children in the area. I am searching for organizations that could benefit from his donation. I would appreciate your help in steering us in the right direction.
Thank you so much!
Judi, I’m going to send you an email with a list of organizations.