CROSS Outreach Des Moines

We truly appreciate the donation from the Contributors Breakfast Club. Their commitment to supporting smaller, central Iowa nonprofits focused on improving the lives of children and young people. It is these generous donations from individuals, grants, organizations, and businesses that keep CROSS and our ability to help going.

"It was a fun night at the Variety Telethon. However, they could never have guessed when they scheduled it that there would be a State of the Union speech on the same night! So, calls were quite light! But it was still good to represent CROSS and support Variety." - Gary Hanson, CROSS Outreach Executive Director

Today is Variety's 52nd Telethon. Variety has been a long-time supporter of CROSS and our annual back-to-school giveaway. Gary is showing support by answering donation calls at the Telethon from 7 PM-9 PM. We hope the event is a huge success!

It was GREAT to be supported by Pete & Randi McNally and the awesome people of the Nebraska/Iowa Wireless Association while also cheering on the Iowa Wild hockey team. What a fun night!

For years, the Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant has supported CROSS Outreach's work. In 2025 and 2026, funds from the grant will help develop and strengthen an intentional relationship between CROSS Outreach and the Des Moines Public Schools.

The grant will enable DMPS SUCCESS Case Managers to refer families to CROSS for potential assistance throughout the school year. The relationship aligns the overarching values of CROSS Outreach with DMPS’s goal “to create a comprehensive continuum of internal and external supports to ensure students’ personal and academic success.” It is truly a “WIN-WIN” opportunity!

Thank you, Prairie Meadows, for making this partnership possible.

Let’s show up strong, CROSS! Who’s in? 🎉

One more week until Trivia Night at Central Presbyterian Church, and we want to show our appreciation for their continuous partnership.

🎭🎺 Fat Tuesday Trivia Contest & Silent Auction
📅 Tuesday, February 17, 2026
⏰ 5:30 p.m.

Get ready for an evening of:
🧠 Brain-teasing trivia
🎶 Live jazz by the NOLA Jazz Band
🍲 Soup, dessert & beverages (free-will offering)
🛍️ An incredible Silent Auction

This annual event is the primary fundraiser for the World Community Concerns Committee, with all net proceeds supporting their designated charities.

🎉 Make It Festive!
Decorate your table! Prizes will be awarded for:
🏆 Best Decorated Table
🏆 Best Decorated Team
(Judging begins at 5:45 p.m.)

📝 Trivia Details
• Teams of 6–8 people
• $75 per table or $10 per individual
• Four rounds (10 questions each)
• Optional Free Guess Stickers: $20 per pack (limit 2 packs per team)

💰 Prizes:
🥇 1st Place – $150
🥈 2nd Place – $100

🛍️ Silent Auction
Bidding opens at the start of the event and closes at 7:50 p.m.

It is the LAST DAY to donate auction items (minimum value $50).

To donate, call:
📞 Church Office: 515-279-3658
📞 Connie Klug: 515-707-4757

✅ TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER
Register online: www.tinyurl.com/FatTuesdayTrivia

Or call the church office at 515-279-3658

Don’t have a full team? Sign up for an ad hoc team!
You can also scan the QR code to purchase tickets online.

Fat Tuesday Trivia Night and Silent Auction Get ready to test your knowledge and bid on awesome items at our Fat Tuesday Trivia Night - it's going to be a blast!

A BIG thank you to the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS and their ongoing support of "Preventing Homelessness with Compassion."

We are so thankful for our partnership with Central Presbyterian Church, and we would love to have a team from CROSS join their upcoming event!

🎭🎺 Fat Tuesday Trivia Contest & Silent Auction
📅 Tuesday, February 17, 2026
⏰ 5:30 p.m.

Get ready for an evening of:
🧠 Brain-teasing trivia
🎶 Live jazz by the NOLA Jazz Band
🍲 Soup, dessert & beverages (free-will offering)
🛍️ An incredible Silent Auction

This annual event is the primary fundraiser for the World Community Concerns Committee, with all net proceeds supporting their designated charities.

🎉 Make It Festive!
Decorate your table! Prizes will be awarded for:
🏆 Best Decorated Table
🏆 Best Decorated Team
(Judging begins at 5:45 p.m.)

📝 Trivia Details
• Teams of 6–8 people
• $75 per table or $10 per individual
• Four rounds (10 questions each)
• Optional Free Guess Stickers: $20 per pack (limit 2 packs per team)

💰 Prizes:
🥇 1st Place – $150
🥈 2nd Place – $100

🛍️ Silent Auction
Bidding opens at the start of the event and closes at 7:50 p.m.
We welcome auction donations (minimum value $50) by Tuesday, February 10.

To donate, call:
📞 Church Office: 515-279-3658
📞 Connie Klug: 515-707-4757

✅ Register by Tuesday, February 10
Register online: www.tinyurl.com/FatTuesdayTrivia

Or call the church office at 515-279-3658

Don’t have a full team? Sign up for an ad hoc team!
You can also scan the QR code to purchase tickets online.

Fat Tuesday Trivia Night and Silent Auction Get ready to test your knowledge and bid on awesome items at our Fat Tuesday Trivia Night - it's going to be a blast!

Sometimes we get to celebrate what we DON'T do:

"Jeanette" was in a car accident late last year - which resulted in multiple surgeries and has presented many challenges to her finding work, as well as the lingering pain. When she "hit rock bottom" and didn't know where else to turn, she said, "I just started asking anyone and everyone for help." After our intake conversation, she paused and said, "I don't know if I should tell you this or not, but hopefully I won't end up needing your assistance. I'm waiting to hear back from HOME, Inc. - and if I get into their program I will definitely be able to get back on my feet again. I just don't want to jinx it!" When we reconnected with Jeanette, she was SO EXCITED to let us know, "I got in!!! I'm going to be alright! Please give the money to somebody else!" It was a really beautiful moment, and we are grateful for like-minded folks at Home INC who are doing really good work.

Why we do what we do:

"Mandy" has been out of work for several months. Her older son was working but lost his job due to not having transportation. He is actively looking for other work. Mandy has had a difficult summer with several health issues as well as mental health concerns due to her worry and stress about her family's needs. CROSS was able to pay $400 to get the water turned back on for Mandy and her three kids.