Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn, a safe space from political ads.

In todays issue:

• 🥘Meals from the Heartland

• Election Wrap Up 📜 

• 🏢 Small Business Saturday

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

17th Annual Hunger Fight 🥖 

Meals from the Heartland is an Iowa-based nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger locally and globally. Founded in 2008 by Iowa volunteers inspired to help after a mission trip, the organization has since mobilized thousands to package meals for distribution worldwide. These meals provide essential nutrients to those suffering from hunger, aiming to make a direct impact on food insecurity.

The organization’s mission centers on feeding the hungry and fostering community engagement. Volunteers from various backgrounds join packing events to prepare nutrient-rich meals, which are then distributed to both domestic food banks and international aid organizations. Meals from the Heartland also educates and inspires local communities to take action against hunger.

This week’s Hunger Fight event exemplifies their mission in action. Taking place at their West Des Moines Packaging Center, it invites hundreds of volunteers to package meals over a few days. The goal is to produce a massive number of meals that can be sent to regions most in need, making a tangible difference. This large-scale event highlights the impact community involvement can have in addressing hunger on a global scale. You can still sign up to help here.

THE ROUNDUP 🧵📱

Down the Ballot 📜 

Iowa voters saw two constitutional amendments on the back of their ballots this past Tuesday, and they approved them both. One amendment updates outdated language allowing 18-year-olds to vote as well as updating to allow the citizen to vote in primary elections if they turn 18 before the general election. The other addresses language in the event the Governor should pass away, resign, or suffer permanent disability, in which case the Lieutenant governor will take over.

WDM Chamber Centennial Anniversary 🎀 ✂️ 

The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce is marking its 100th anniversary with a celebration that honors its growth and community impact over the past century. The Chamber, a key supporter of local business and community development, is launching a donation initiative that invites residents and business leaders to raise a glass to the city’s economic and cultural progress. All proceeds will directly fund the brand-new Chamber foundation. Contributing to this initiative is meaningful way to celebrate the past and invest in the future. Whether through a direct donation or by purchasing one of the limited-edition fundraising items, your contribution will help shape the next century of progress in West Des Moines. There will be a ribbon cutting on Nov. 12 to commemorate the Foundation.

Around Town 🏙️📈

In this section, I am going to highlight a local business, restaurant, or non-profit. This week, I’m talking about local, small business in general.

Small Business Saturday 🏦 

If you don’t know by now, I am very much in favor of small business. I am trying to highlight people in our community that provide valuable goods and services. With that said, I want to introduce Small Business Saturday, created by American Express in 2010. It is an annual event encouraging people to support local businesses. Held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, it offers an opportunity to promote small businesses amid the holiday shopping season. This day has become essential for small businesses, providing a revenue boost and highlighting their role in strengthening local economies and fostering community connections. Supporting small businesses on this day helps sustain unique, local shopping experiences and contributes to community resilience.

I encourage you to support local businesses all the time but maybe make an extra effort on November 30th. 😉 

@DSMATDAWN 📷

Photo Cred: @el_riv23

Tag @dsmatdawn to get your photos published!

WHAT TO DO 🚨🏁

North Pole Craft and Vendor Show

Adventureland Inn will be the site of this show that features over 50 crafters and vendors this weekend. All they are asking for admission is one non-perishable food item or $1 donation to St. Vincent de Paul.

Paw Print Ornaments

Just Paws Gourmet & Gifts is asking for free will donations to make a paw print keep sake salt dough ornament. All proceeds go to Hope Animal Rescue to help with the cost of in home foster care and vet costs.

Beaverdale Holiday Boutique

Holy Trinity Catholic School is hosting over 80 vendors for this 47th annual event. Santa and Mrs. Clause will be on hand for the kids while you shop and enjoy homemade food and baked goods.

Champagne and Mistletoe

Come out to Uptown Ankeny this Friday to kick off the holiday season. The businesses will be decked out for the holidays, and you’ll find Carriage Rides through the Winter Wonderlights display along with holiday sips & treats.

Nikki Glaser: Alive and Unwell Tour

Nikki Glaser is coming to Hoyt Sherman Place this Saturday night. Tickets are on sale here.

WEATHER   🌞 🌡️

Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Thursday

High 52 | Low 35 | Partly Cloudy 🌤️

Friday

High 58 | Low 41 | Partly Cloudy 🌤️

Saturday

High 52 | Low 45 | Rain 🌧️ 

Sunday

High 57 | Low 39 | Partly Cloudy 🌤️

MUSIC SCENE 🎶🎤

Thursday

Pert Near Sandstone | 7 | xBk Live
Prince Daddy & The Hyena | 7 | Wooly’s
Trippie Redd | 8 | Vibrant Music Hall

Friday

Young & Out of Love Tour | 7:30 | xBk Live

Saturday

Conner Smith | 7 | Wooly’s
Queens of the Night | 8 | xBk Live

Sunday

Ekoh | 8 | xBk Live

SPORTS 🏈🏅

NCAA Football 🏈

All four local teams are in action this week.

• Iowa 🦅 @ UCLA | 11/8 | 8

• Drake 🐶 @ St. Thomas MN | 11/9 | 1

• Illinois State @ UNI 🐆 | 11/9 | 1

• Iowa State 🌪️ @ Kansas | 11/9 | 2:30 📍Arrowhead Stadium - Kansas City

Hockey 🏒 

Bucs

• VS Madison Capitols | 11/8 | 7

Iowa Wild

• VS Grand Rapids Griffins | 11/7 | 10:30 AM 📖School Day

• @ Rockford Icehogs | 11/9 | 7

G League 🏀 

Iowa Wolves

• VS Wisconsin Herd | 11/8 | 6:30

• VS Sioux Falls Skyforce | 11/9 | 6:30

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THANK YOU! 🙌 

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

I would love your feedback! You can respond directly to this email with any comments, recommendations, or ideas.

P.S. If you, or anyone you know, would like to sponsor a future edition of The Dawn, please contact me at [email protected] or respond directly to this email.