DES MOINES, Iowa — The coronavirus pandemic has brought more than its share of hardships.
The City of Des Moines is partnering with Central Iowa Shelter and Services and local restaurants to give $350,000 worth of free meals to families and residents in need.
There will be a total of 18 meals provided by various restaurants and other food stores at 17 different locations throughout the Des Moines area.
Food for the first meal of the week, which consisted of deli sandwiches, carrot sticks, a banana, a cookie and bottled water was provided by Mootsie's Munchies. Mootsie's is a cake, cupcake and catering service based in the Drake neighborhood.
The meal was served at the John R. Grubb YMCA.
"There's a lot of kids in the community that are hungry. And it's a low-income area," Mootsie's Munchies Owner & Operator Mikele Williams said. "Anything to help these kids in this area; I'm willing to do it."
After kicking off the week, Mootsie's Munchies will also be closing the week out with a free spaghetti dinner this coming Friday night from 5-6 p.m., which will also at the Grubb YMCA.
Here's what the rest of the week looks like (all times p.m. unless otherwise specified):
Monday, July 13
- 4-5 p.m.: Bubble Tea Kups hosting at Cheatom Park
- 6-7 p.m.: Big Red Food Truck hosting at the South Suburban YMCA
Tuesday, July 14
- 4-5: Hy-Vee hosting at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park
- 4-5: 5 Spice Sisters hosting at River Hills Apartments II
- 5-6: Palm's Caribbean Cuisine hosting at the South Side Library
Wednesday, July 15
- Noon-1: Bubble Tea Kups hosting at Edna Griffin Park
- Noon-1: Kitchen Spaces hosting at Chesterfield Park
- 12:30-1:30: Big Red Food Truck hosting at Cheatom Park
- 5-6: Kitchen Spaces hosting at Plaza View Apartments
Thursday, July 16
- Noon-1:00: Bubble Tea Kups hosting at River Hills Apartments II
- 4-5: El Fogon hosting at Edna Griffin Park
- 4-5: Hy-Vee hosting at Union Park
Friday, July 17
- 11:30 a.m.-Noon: Tursi's Latin Kings hosting at Pete Crivaro Park
- Noon-1: 5 Spice Sisters hosting at the Wellmark YMCA (downtown)
- 5-6: 5 Spice Sisters hosting at River Hills Apartments II
- 5-6: Kitchen Spaces hosting at the Wellmark YMCA
- 5-6: Moochie's Munchies hosting at the John R. Grubb YMCA