Urban Bicycle Food Ministry-Des Moines, a community-based and non-denominational organization, welcomes anyone to be part of their ministry. Since 2015, they’ve served radical hospitality, one burrito at a time, without preaching, proselytizing, or attempts to convert. What is “radical hospitality?” Every Thursday, all year long, they prepare and deliver food and personal items by bike and car to people on the streets — living under a bridge, in a tent near the river or railroad tracks, in a hole dug in the side of a hill, or in subsidized housing. Think Uber Eats for people without addresses or the ability to pay.

Winter season presents unique challenges to serving folks on the street. Besides food, UBFM offers a wide variety of items including clothing, toiletries, batteries, and flashlights. They rely on in-kind donations from volunteers and other supporters, but often run short on winter-survival items such as winter coats, heavy blankets, insulated gloves, chemical hand/foot warmers, and hooded sweatshirts. Extra funds donated by DMIEC will permit UBFM to maintain a supply of these life-sustaining items.

For more information, visit https://ubfmdsm.com/.

Checks can be made payable to Urban Bicycle Food Ministry-Des Moines or to DMIEC with “First Sunday” in the memo line.

Checks should be placed in the December 14th Collection Basket or mailed to DMIEC, P.O. Box 30065, Des Moines, IA 50310

First Sunday checks must be received by DMIEC by December 20th; if you elect to contribute to the First Sunday recipient after that date, please mail your check (made payable to the organization with “DMIEC” in the memo line) directly to Urban Bicycle Food Ministry – Des Moines, 511 Des Moines Street, Des Moines, IA 50309