Hope Ministries works to rescue those who are homeless, hungry, abused or addicted providing opportunities for hope, recovery and restoration through the love of Jesus Christ. Hope Ministries is based out of Des Moines and has many volunteer opportunities for church members to serve. Groups and individuals can sign up to provide casseroles or full meals for one of our ministry centers and, when scheduling allows, sign up to serve the meal at Hope Café. Groups are welcome to register to provide child care through various opportunities at the Hope Center for Women and Children. Another area of needed service is either of our ENCORE Thrift Stores where volunteers assist with receiving, sorting, tagging and merchandising donated items.

For information about any of these opportunities, call 515-265-7272 or email info@hopeiowa.org.

Volunteer with Hope Ministries

According to the latest report from the Institute for Community Alliances, more than 11,600 people are homeless in Iowa—with another 10,550 at risk of becoming homeless. Hope Ministries’ programs and services for homeless, near-homeless, and hungry individuals and families stretches back to 1915. Hope Ministries was formed in July 2000 through the merger of two long-standing Des Moines organizations: Bethel Mission, open since 1915, and Door of Faith, open since 1969. Through their rescue efforts, Hope Ministries provides warm meals, clothing, and a safe, comfortable shelter. Currently Hope Ministries providing 13,000 meals and 5,000 nights of shelter each month. In addition to meeting basic needs, they also offer both short- and long-term life recovery programs meant to help break the cycles of addiction, poverty and abuse.

The majority of the men and women who come to Hope struggle with alcohol and/or drug addiction, come from an abusive past or have experienced a lifelong cycle of poverty. Many have been in and out of jails and prisons. Hope’s goal is to not only meet their basic need for shelter, along with food and clothing, but also to offer the opportunity for long-term change. They take a holistic view of rescue and recovery, which is why we offer free residential life recovery programs. Through these programs, men may stay with Hope for one year and women and children for up to two years. Through partnerships with more than 350 churches in the past year, Hope desires to see their men and women in recovery build a support system outside their walls so that, when they leave, they’ve developed relationships with fellow Christians who can help hold them accountable.