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Loving Our Neighbors in Need

Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, bears witness to the unseen strength of our neighbors striving to overcome life’s challenges. While many of us rarely think twice about…

Catholic Charities Executive Director, Barbara Decker, to Retire

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, Executive Director, Barbara Quijano Decker, has announced her retirement effective September 27, 2024, after five years leading the social ministry nonprofit. Decker came to…

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Annual Appeal

Your Support Serves Thousands in Central and Southwest Iowa Two Iowas exist side by side… one of comfort, and one of quiet crisis. At Catholic Charities, we serve those who…

News

Catholic Charities Receives $5,000 Grant from Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, recently received a $5,000 grant from the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa in support of the organization’s Domestic Violence and Sexual…

2026 CRS Rice Bowl Grant Applications Open

CRS Rice Bowl is sponsored by the Diocese of Des Moines in Iowa and Catholic Relief Services (CRS). This Lenten program is conducted in Catholic parishes throughout the entire diocese.

Stories of Impact

Donate – Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

No one should have to choose between safety and survival. Every day, women/men and children across Central and Southwest Iowa flee dangerous situations with the urgent will to survive. The Catholic…

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Providing Help and Hope for All in Need

Every day, individuals and families face challenges that threaten their stability and well-being. In these moments of struggle, hope often comes through a helping hand. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des…

2026 Parish Partner: Saints John and Paul

Serving our neighbors in need is something parishioners at Ss. John and Paul Parish in Altoona, IA, do without hesitation. Their support and involvement with Catholic Charities reflect their commitment…

Catholic Charities Centennial

100 Years Catholic Charities is excited to celebrate this momentous achievement in September 2024 as we acknowledge our past and look forward into the future. For a century, community support…

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2025 Spring Program Needs

If you or your organization is looking for a way to help others in the community this spring, Catholic Charities has you covered! Consider getting involved or making a…

2026 Parish Partner: St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi Parish, in West Des Moines, IA, has supported the mission of Catholic Charities for many years. From parish-run collections to active parishioner involvement in programs, St.

10th Annual Shamrocks and Shenanigans

You can support the life-changing work happening every day at Catholic Charities! Join us for our 10th annual fundraising event, Shamrocks and Shenanigans! Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 6…

Program Needs

Catholic Charities has Opportunities for Everyone If you or your organization is looking for a way to help others in the community, Catholic Charities has put together a list…

Catholic Charities Annual Appeal

Your Support Serves Thousands in Central and Southwest Iowa Two Iowas exist side by side… one of comfort, and one of quiet crisis. At Catholic Charities, we serve those who…

Catholic Charities Mourns the Passing of Pope Francis

Below is a statement released by Catholic Charities USA over the passing of Pope Francis. In reaction to the death…

2026 Parish Partner: St. Pius X

Catholic Charities and St. Pius X Parish in Urbandale, IA, have shared a strong partnership for more than 30 years. From parishioner involvement to parish-wide support, St. Pius continues to…

Partners & Sponsors

Community Partners Catholic Charities is a member of United Way of Central Iowa and United Way of the Midlands. Our United Way funding is an important part of helping us…

Donate – Emergency Family Shelter

A safe place to stay. A chance to rebuild. A path to self-sufficiency. Donations to the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter help us keep families experiencing homelessness together while providing…

Contact

Catholic Charities is committed to Empowering Individuals and Strengthening Families across Central and Southwest Iowa. Our programs and services are rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and focus on providing an unmatched…

Humble Servant: Tom Leto

Tom Leto supported and later led Catholic Charities’ efforts to feed the hungry in our community for several years. His leadership helped grow the Catholic Charities Food Pantry to…

Winter Program Needs

If you or your organization is looking for a way to help others in the community this winter, Catholic Charities has you covered! Consider getting involved or making a…

Neighborly News Newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things Catholic Charities! Catholic Charities’ Neighborly News is a monthly, digital newsletter that educates readers with fun facts about our programs, highlights donors and volunteers who…

About

Services

Catholic Charities’ Programs and Services Catholic Charities is committed to providing unmatched care to the communities we serve. We do this through our vital programs, including counseling, domestic violence…

Half-Price Tickets Available for Fr. Mike Schmitz!

Catholic Charities of Des Moines and Iowa Catholic Radio enjoy a unique partnership that has positively impacted our collective efforts to bring hope to our community. To celebrate…

Mending the Mind this Holiday Season

The “True Presence“ is the best present for Christmas. I was talking with one of my adult daughters about this article and how I was going to talk about stress…

Board of Directors

Our Link to the Community Our Board of Directors provides strategic leadership and guidance to ensure Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, stays true to its mission to Empower Individuals…

Donate – Food Pantry

Be the reason someone doesn’t need to go to bed hungry. Your gift today ensures families don’t have to face hunger alone. Help us keep our shelves stocked, our mission strong,…

Get Involved

You can help bring the Catholic Charities’ mission to life! Giving of your financial resources demonstrates the trust you have in Catholic Charities to deploy our staff and execute our…

Joint Statements Issued on Immigration Enforcement

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, is one of 168 member agencies in the Catholic Charities USA network. Working together, we serve more than 15 million of the most vulnerable…

Hundreds are Fed this Thanksgiving Thanks to Catholic Charities Food Pantry

For 30 years, the Catholic Charities Food Pantry’s annual Giving Thanksgiving event has helped food pantry clients celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. During the distribution days, clients received a turkey or…

Leadership & Staff

At Catholic Charities, our team is passionate about providing an unmatched level of care to all we have the privilege to serve. Our team is comprised of hard-working, dedicated…

Annual Appeal – Food Pantry

When hunger shows up, so do we. The Catholic Charities Food Pantry is a lifeline for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Located in one of Des Moines’ most underserved neighborhoods,…

Social Justice Consortium

Maintaining the Roots of Our Mission The Social Justice Consortium promotes the social justice mission of the Catholic Church through a coordinated effort to work toward a comprehensive and consistent…

Now Accepting CRS Rice Bowl Grant Applications

Organizations that focus on alleviating hunger and poverty are invited to apply for funding. Submission deadline: March 3, 2025 CRS Rice Bowl is coordinated by Catholic Charities and sponsored by…

Catholic Charities Celebrates 100 Years of Care and Compassion

This month, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, celebrates 100 years of providing care and compassion to the people of central and southwest Iowa. The organization is pleased to celebrate…

Careers

Join our Catholic Charities team! Are you looking to make a real difference in the lives of others? Come join the Catholic Charities team where we work to Empower…

Annual Appeal – Emergency Family Shelter

Every child deserves a home. Your gift helps make that possible. At the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter, we do more than provide a bed. We keep families together during their hardest moments,…

COA Accreditation

Striving for Excellence COA accreditation attests that an organization meets the highest standards and is delivering the best quality services to the community it serves. Catholic Charities is proud to…

Tickets on Sale Now! 2025 Shamrocks and Shenanigans

Catholic Charities is excited to share that our annual Shamrocks and Shenanigans event will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Mainframe Studios in Downtown Des Moines (900 Keosauqua…

2024 Fall Program Needs

You can make an impact at Catholic Charities this Fall! If you or your organization is looking for a way to help others in the community this fall, Catholic Charities…

Supply the Mission

A new coat for a child or a meal for a mother makes all the difference. Catholic Charities cares for more than 35,000 individuals every year which takes a massive…

Annual Appeal – Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

No one should have to choose between safety and survival. Every day, women/men and children across Central and Southwest Iowa flee dangerous situations with the urgent will to survive. The Catholic…

Annual Reports & Audits

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines Annual Reports Catholic Charities is a proud partner with Candid, where we have achieved a Gold Seal of Transparency.

Catholic Charities Teams up with T-Mobile to Support Refugees in the Community

Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services is joining forces with T-Mobile to support current refugee clients living in the Des Moines area. Refugee clients will receive 200 home internet gateways and 24…

Be the ONE this Giving Tuesday

You can help Catholic Charities do something BIG this Giving Tuesday! Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving and unity that will take place this year on Tuesday, November 28,…

Volunteer

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Catholic Charities helps those who are struggling in central and southwest Iowa 24 hours a day, seven days per week, 365 days a year. With that kind…

Annual Appeal – Community Resource Coordination

When someone in our community is facing eviction, unemployment, language barriers, or a crisis they can’t navigate alone, Catholic Charities is here to help. Our Community Resources Coordination program meets people…

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Catholic Charities Feeds Hundreds this Thanksgiving

Catholic Charities Food Pantry, in partnership with St. Pius X parish in Urbandale, IA, distributed 660 turkeys and…

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, Receives $20,000 Grant from Prairie Meadows

Prairie Meadows awarded Catholic Charities a Community Betterment Grant totaling $20,000 to help fund needed structural renovations at the organization’s Emergency Family Shelter. Prairie Meadows is a nonprofit organization dedicated…

Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry Feeds the Hungry for Thanksgiving 2023

Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry, in partnership with St. Pius X parish in Urbandale, IA, will distribute hundreds of turkeys and other holiday meats during their 2023 Giving Thanks Giving event.

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Donate If you still want to make a donation to Catholic Charities, click HERE. Or you can contact our Director of Development, Bobbi Jo Smith, at bsmith@catholiccharitiesdm.org…

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Food Pantry

Without basic nutrition, it is difficult to think beyond day-to-day needs. Catholic Charities helps our clients fulfill their basic needs and helps explore other barriers that our clients face.

2025 Fall Program Needs

If you or your organization is looking for a way to help others in the community this spring, Catholic Charities has you covered! Consider getting involved or making a…

Iowa West Foundation Awards $60,000 Grant to Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program recently received a $60,000 grant from the Iowa West Foundation to support program needs and expand services to survivors of domestic violence,…

Donate

Your financial contribution brings our mission to life! While there are many ways to help Catholic Charities, a financial donation is one of the most powerful. It allows our organization…

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Emergency Family Shelter

Homelessness is prevalent in our world and even in our communities. The Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family shelter offers families the unique opportunity to stay together while they work to…

Catholic Charities Hosts 11th Annual Community Baby Shower

The Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program will host its 11th Annual Community Baby Shower on Friday, October 17, 4-6 p.m. at…

Michael Sheehy Named Executive Director of Catholic Charities

(Des Moines, IA) Following an extensive national search, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, has announced that Michael Sheehy will assume the role of Executive Director following the retirement of…

Adoption Search

Seeking information from the past. A service for those adopted through Catholic Charities or Christ Child Home. When Catholic Charities was established in Des Moines in the 1924, one…

Share Your Story

We want to hear from you! How has Catholic Charities made a difference in your or your family’s life? Why do you support Catholic Charities as a donor or…

Privacy Policy

Respecting your information. Privacy Policy The Diocese of Des Moines and Catholic Charities respect and are committed to protecting your privacy. We may collect personally identifiable information when you visit…

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

QUICK ESCAPE BUTTON This button is here to allow you to quickly leave this website if you are concerned that it could be an issue should someone know that you…

Community Partners Support Catholic Charities Food Pantry During Renovation Following Car Accident

The Catholic Charities Food Pantry renovations are complete, following a car accident that left major structural damage. The Catholic Charities Food Pantry, located at…

United Way of the Midlands Awards $40,000 Grant to Catholic Charities

(Council Bluffs, IA) Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, is pleased to announce it was recently awarded a $40,000, two-year grant from United Way of the Midlands (UWM) Community Impact…

Community Resource Coordination

At Catholic Charities, we believe in walking alongside individuals and families as they work toward a stronger, more stable future. Community Resource Coordination uplifts and empowers our clients while…

Support Catholic Charities

It’s safe to say my first year at Catholic Charities has been a memorable one. In the past 12 months, we have weathered difficult challenges, yet we persevered, serving…

Counseling Program

Sometimes, we all need a little help along the way. Stress and anxiety are a part of our daily lives, but what do you do when it gets to…

Stories That Inspire: Julio

Imagine enduring years of abuse and exploitation in a place where you don’t speak the native language. For Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault client, Julio*, this was his…

We Are There: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines Joins National Campaign

Promoting Life-Giving Work of the Catholic Charities Network Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines is joining with the Catholic Charities network around the country to participate in We Are There,…

Support for Refugees

Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various…

Board of Directors Portal

February 18, 2026 – Quarterly Board Meeting Board Meeting Agenda February 18, 2026 Welcome / Convene Board Meeting – Chris Welp, Vice Chairperson Bishop…