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DES MOINES, Iowa- The Des Moines Area Religious Council launched a new campaign to help keep pantry shelves stocked, as need grows more than ever.

DMARC is continuing to break records every month for the amount of people who use one of their 14 pantries. October was their busiest month in their 50-year history, with assisting 28,663 people. This included around 10,000 children receiving food from DMARC during October.

Their food pantry network is already on track to break the record this month, according to their marketing and communications manager, Blake Willadsen. An average of 1,500 people are visiting their food pantries every day this month and they’re projected to see around 30,000 people by the end of November.

Earlier this year, food pantries were concerned with the increasing need. The holiday season tends to be the busiest time of year for pantries, and with this entire year already seeing elevated need, pantry owners were concerned about their ability to keep shelves stocked.

“Before this year is over, we’re going to see 70,000 people or more who are being assisted by one of DMARC’s food pantries. If you’re not mad about that, if you’re not upset about that, then you should be,” said Willadsen.

As a result, DMARC launched the Unmatched Campaign, where an anonymous donor will match every donation gifted to DMARC, up to $250,000.

“Please try and find one small way that you can step up. Do one extra thing to try and help these folks in this moment where there’s this rising need,” said Willadsen.

To donate, click here.

So far, over $33,000 has been donated. Willadsen also said volunteering at food pantries is a great way to support people in need.