No Room at the Inn, Catholic Charities, Des Moines Iowa

No Room at the Inn

November 30 - December 2, 2012

601 Grand Ave., Downtown Des Moines, Iowa

Last year, Catholic Charities St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter turned away ten times that number of guests taken in -- there simply was not enough "room at the inn".

You can help raise awareness about poverty and homelessness by taking part in No Room at the Inn, a weekend of festivities centered around an exhibition of nativity scenes from all over the world that serve as a reminder that there is often no room at homeless shelters like Catholic Charities’ St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter.

2012 highlights!

The exhibition of nativities will be a sampling of nativities from all over the world displayed with information about the history, orgin and heartwarming stories that are so unique to each.
Seven unique nativity sets created by art students at Dowling Catholic High School will be on display and up for bid on a silent auction. All are made of different materials (including one life-size piece made of packing tape! Click here to see a video of it being made!) and all will on the auction block starting Friday night at the fundraising reception through Sunday, Dec. 2 at the Open House from 1-5pm.
Six local Catholic Schools and at least three religious education programs are taking part in the “Spirit of St. Nicolas” collection which provides personal care items for newly arrived refugees, low-income families and seniors served at St. Mary Family Center and homeless families at St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter.
Hundreds of religious education students have created fantastic pieces of artwork for our ”Gift of Hope” campaign. The top three pieces of art will be featured on our alternate gift giving Christmas cards and others will be displayed during No Room at the Inn! Click here to learn more about the Gift of Hope Christmas giving opportunity.

And that is not all!

7th and 8th grade students at local Catholic schools drew a 2D picture that represents what they think Catholic Charities means to them. These donated drawings will be used as part of a 10’ x 8’ pictorial mosaic to be displayed in the Pastoral Center during the No Room at the Inn event this year. You don't want to miss this!
Hands-on children's play area!

Weekend Schedule:

Fundraising Reception

Friday, Nov. 30 from 5-8pm - 601 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309

Opening night of the nativity exhibition that raises essential funds for St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter and Poverty Reduction programs at Catholic Charities. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, words from Bishop Richard Pates and guests from St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter.

RSVP by Nov. 23 - walk-in's are welcome. Click here for donation card.

Poverty Simulation

Saturday, Dec. 1, 9am-Noon - 601 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309

A hands-on experience of what it might be like to live in a typical low-income family trying to survive from month to month. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by the poor. Pre-registration is required and the simulation is open to those 18 years and older.

Musical Open House

Sunday, Dec. 2 from 1-5pm - 601 Grand Ave. Des Moines

More than 1,500 people will attend the holiday open house featuring local choirs, the exhibition of nativity displays, a live nativity scene, special artwork including a 10 foot by 8 foot collaborative mosaic, and Bishop Richard E. Pates and Bishop Emeritus Joseph L. Charron reading the Christmas story.
Click here for the 2012 choir schedule.

Catholic Charities invites you to attend one or all of the No Room at the Inn festivities in support St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter and all of our Poverty Reduction Programs: St. Mary Family Center and Hispanic Community Outreach. Your participation in this event will help us lift people out of poverty with dignity.