News Releases
Dec. 21, 2011
Meals from the Market Donations Increase in 2011
Downtown Farmers’ Market helps provide nearly 24,000 meals to hungry
DOWNTOWN DES MOINES – The Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market’s Meals from the Market program had one of its most successful years yet. In its third year, Meals from the Market collected more than $63,291 or 23,416 meals. The program also saw an 81 percent increase since 2010 in market patron donations.
Meals From the Market offers vendors and patrons an opportunity to give back to the community by providing fresh food to the homeless and hungry in central Iowa. The program is a collaborative effort between First Federal Savings Bank of Iowa, Hope Ministries, Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) and the Downtown Farmers’ Market.
“We at First Federal Iowa are tremendously pleased with the results of Meals from the Market this year. The increased level of patron donations and the large number of vendors that participated weekly in the program, made for a very successful year as evidenced by the increase of meals and food donated. First Federal Iowa is delighted to partner with the Downtown Farmers Market to provide this program every year. The increased involvement and volunteer support from Wellmark and DMARC also added to the success of the 2011 meals program. Giving our employees and community volunteers an opportunity to get involved and help in such a direct way is a very rewarding experience,” said Tom Hromatka, Executive Vice President, First Federal Iowa.
“The Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market is a key to our commitment to providing pantry families with food that is fresh and nutritious,” said Sarai Schnucker Rice, Executive Director, Des Moines Area Religious Council / MovetheFood. “We are thrilled to report that our 12 food pantry sites provided some 300,000 pounds of fresh produce to families in need in Greater Des Moines in 2011. This was possible only through partnerships like the one we enjoy with Meals from the Market at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market.”
Meals from the Market was created two years ago due to suggestions and requests from Market vendors who have asked for a program to coordinate a place to drop off food and products that didn’t sell during the Market. Downtown Farmers’ Market Director Kelly Foss explains, “The Market has an average of 34 vendors who regularly donate to the Saturday morning program, whether it is one grocery bag or a wagon full, these 28-30 vendors are very dedicated to the program. We’re thrilled to also see a jump in our patron’s participation as well this year.”
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Dec. 22, 2012
For more information contact:
Amy Baker, (515) 286-4919
Downtown Community Alliance
Dale Stark, (515) 246-2363
Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
LUNCH UNPLUGGED OFFERS A VARIETY OF ENTERTAINERS FOR 2012
DOWNTOWN DES MOINES – The Downtown Community Alliance (DCA) along with the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines are pleased to announce the lineup and event details for Lunch Unplugged. In its second year, the eight-week entertainment series will be held from noon – 1 p.m. at the Civic Center’s Temple Theater at the Temple for Performing Arts,1011 Locust Street in Downtown Des Moines. The series kicks off a month earlier this year on Feb.3 and continues weekly through March 30, 2012.
The 2012 Lunch Unplugged lineup is comprised of four local/regional and four national touring artists:
PRESTON PUGMIRE
Friday, Feb. 3, 2012
Looping performance with beats, guitars, bass, and vocals
DIEGO VAL
Friday, Feb. 10, 2012
Peru-born singer/songwriter
ROXI COPLAND
Friday, Feb. 17, 2012
Jazz/pop singer/songwriter/pianist
CO'MOTION DANCE
Friday, Feb. 24, 2012
Iowa – based modem dance company
CHRIS CAULEY
Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012
Soul influenced singer/songwriter
TRUCKSTOP SOUVENIR
Friday, March 9, 2012
Folk/Americana singer/songwriting duo
FIRE AND ROMANCE with Dr. Jonathan Sturm
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Violin/piano classical music recital
KARLA BONOFF
Friday, March 30, 2012
Singer/Songwriter
Tickets are $8 and can be bundled with a boxed lunch from South Union Bread Café for an additional $7. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.LunchUnplugged.com, by phone at 515-246-2300 and at the Civic Center ticket office at 221 Walnut Street in Downtown Des Moines. Tickets may also be purchased at the door 30 minutes prior to the show for $10. Lunch from South Union must be ordered online with a ticket purchase two days prior to the show. Concert attendees may also bring their own lunch to eat in the theater. Tickets will go on sale Jan. 6, 2012.
Lunch Unplugged is presented by the DCA and the Civic Center. The presenting sponsor of the series is Mercy College of Health Sciences. Individual concert sponsors include: Meredith, Nationwide, Principal, and Davis Brown Law Firm. The series' media partner is Lite 104.1.
All media inquiries should be directed to Amy Baker at (515) 577-7495 or Dale Stark at (515) 246-2363.
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About Downtown Community Alliance
The Downtown Community Alliance, in association with Greater Des Moines Partnership, provides a consistent and constant focus on developing and maintaining a vibrant downtown core. Key programs are downtown development and planning; events and activities; promotion and marketing; and a clean, safe and beautiful environment.
About Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines is a private not-for-profit corporation celebrating over 30 years of presenting the performing arts to Iowa and the surrounding states. It is the presenter of major Broadway and educational touring companies, performers and groups, and is the performing home of many local and regional groups, including the Des Moines Symphony and StageWest. All performances of the Broadway Series are supported by Willis Auto Campus. All performances at the Civic Center’s Temple Theater are supported by Prairie Meadows. All performances of the Family Series are supported by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
