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 a 100-year legacy of serving the community with help and hope.
Since 1924, Catholic Charities has been committed to empowering individuals and strengthening families. This mission is accomplished through five dynamic program areas including: counseling, domestic violence and sexual assault programming, an emergency family shelter, a food pantry and refugee services. Throughout the years, hundreds of thousands of individuals and families have been impacted.
“For a century, Catholic Charities has worked diligently to provide a well-rounded service of care to all who come to us in need of help,” said Catholic Charities Executive Director, Barbara Q. Decker. “We are consistently looking for ways to meet the ever-changing needs of those we serve and I am grateful to the many individuals and colleagues who help sustain this important ministry.”
Catholic Charities saw a record-breaking year in 2023, serving more than 35,000 individuals across all programs. Catholic Charities’ Counseling program provided needed mental health resources to those who were struggling. The Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry saw a 45 percent increase in clients fed monthly and a 34 percent increase in clients fed daily, from the previous year. The food pantry continues to see record highs for clients served in 2024. The Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter remains the largest family shelter in Des Moines and offered 8,205 total nights of shelter to close to 150 families in 2023. Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program, serving nine counties in southwest Iowa, aided 1,350 survivors last year through outreach resources, court advocacy, hospital visits, support groups and more. Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services welcomed more than 230 refugees from 10 different countries and provided post-resettlement services to more than 110 immigrants and refugees currently in our community.
“One hundred years of providing this high level of care and compassion to those struggling in our community is no small feat, but confirms that the work being done at Catholic Charities is so vital, and continues to bear God’s blessing,” said Bishop William M. Joensen, Bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines.
Catholic Charities also recognizes the volunteers and donors who help to support the organization’s long legacy of caring for the poor and vulnerable.
“Catholic Charities provides essential resources to the community by feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, comforting the afflicted, welcoming the stranger and serving all in need with dignity, love and respect,” said Catholic Charities Director of Development, Bobbi Jo Smith. “We are so grateful to our donors, community partners and volunteers whose support ensures we can continue to provide unmatched care to those we have the privilege to serve.”
To recognize this momentous year, Catholic Charities celebrated with board members, community partners, top donors, volunteers and staff on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in downtown Des Moines. The event featured a panel discussion on Catholic Charities’ profound impact over the years from Bishop Joensen, Bishop Emeritus Richard E. Pates, former Bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines, and Barbara Decker. Bishop Joensen also provided a vision for the future in fostering the ministry and mission of Catholic Charities.
In 2023, Catholic Charities released a 20-minute special video highlighting the long legacy the organization has of supporting those most in need, telling a story of hope and impact. The video can be viewed on the organization’s YouTube and Facebook profiles.
Catholic Charities encourages others to be involved with the organization as they look to the next 100 years. For information on how to get involved, follow Catholic Charities on social media at @CCDesMoines or visit catholiccharitiesdm.org.