Self-Proclaimed ‘Ordinary Man’ Increases Match in ‘Challenge Hunger’ Campaign (Video)

Retired West Des Moines police officer Doug Woods says he’s an “ordinary man,” but there’s nothing ordinary about his offer to match 50 cents on the dollar for donations to replenish metro food pantry shelves.

Initially, Woods pledged to match donations to the  Des Moines Area Religious Council’s Move the Food safety net program, up to $20,000. More than $18,000 has been received so far and Woods has increased his commitment to up to $25,000 through May 31.

Originally, the campaign was set to end April 30.

Woods’ “Challenge Hunger” gift comes at a time when donations to area food pantries are historically low.

“We are so grateful for Doug’s generosity,” said DMARC Development Director Kristine Frakes. “We are hopeful that the ‘Challenge Hunger’ campaign will also boost awareness that 30,000 of our Polk County neighbors require help in meeting their short-term food needs each year,” she continued.

When the $25,000 goal is reached and combined with Woods’ matching gift of $12,500, the results will help DMARC provide the equivalent of 50,000 emergency meals across Polk County. Nearly half will be for children and youth.

Des Moines Area Religious Council’s Move the Food safety net program

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Donate online or mail your “Challenge Hunger” donation to DMARC, 3816 36th Street, Suite 202, Des Moines IA 50310.

Move the Food is a DMARC-led initiative to address the entire food system in Greater Des Moines, building on more than 36 years of food assistance work, catalyzing fresh generations, and engaging new constituencies to further support a vision for a day when everyone in Polk County has enough to eat.

The DMARC Food Pantry Network is the largest in Iowa, made up of a centralized warehouse and 13 partnering distribution sites. The DMARC Food Pantry network helps meet short-term food needs when families do not have enough to eat.

Once each month, families can receive a free, four-day supply of nutritionally balanced food. In 2012, DMARC assisted more than 33,000 individuals in the Greater Des Moines community; half of whom were children and youth.

Woods, who attends the New Hope Assembly of God Church in Urbandale, became one of DMARC’s leading donors after a “spiritual awakening.”

He said his call to service was clearly spelled out in 2 Corinthians 9:10: “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.”

“It speaks of giving to the poor and the needy,” Woods said. “You are expected to give 10 percent of your income, so that is what I have tried to do for the last two years.

“I get a great deal of fulfillment in giving to help the less fortunate. It’s like the old adage: The more I give, the more I receive.”