about this event
Hack Away Hunger: Food Insecurity Challenge
Presented by Corteva Agriscience, a charity hackathon focused on overcoming issues impacting food insecurity in our community. #TechforGood
Our motto: Hunger doesn't stop. Technology doesn't sleep.
More than 402,000 Iowans experience food insecurity, and 1 in 4 Des Moines residents rely on food pantries to meet their basic human needs. We can do better. It starts by listening. Join us for the Hack Away Hunger: Food Insecurity Challenge Kickoff Event on Sept 10 to learn from community leaders on the front lines of food insecurity and discover how your tech skills can help build lasting solutions to common problems. Then, turn your ideas into action during our 48-hour Accelerator Hack on Sept 24–26, where you'll collaborate with fellow innovators and receive expert guidance to build a solution with real community impact.
30 Days to Hack Away Hunger
Your idea could...
- Help food reach families faster.
- Make it easier for pantries to serve their communities.
- Reduce food waste through technology.
- Raise awareness of food insecurity through storytelling and data.
- Be the solution no one has thought of yet!
Why Hack Away Hunger?
Food insecurity is about more than empty shelves. Transportation barriers, housing instability, underemployment, rising food costs, access to services, and countless other challenges can prevent someone from accessing basic needs. There is no single cause, and no single solution. Real progress will require our entire community (nonprofits, businesses, technologists, volunteers, and neighbors) working together to make meaningful strides towards a hunger-free Iowa. That's why we're bringing together the people who understand these challenges alongside the people who build technology. Together, we can create practical solutions that make a lasting impact.
How It Works
Hack Away Hunger is a 30-day innovation challenge designed to give teams time to build sustainable solutions—not just a weekend prototype. The experience includes:
[Sept 10th] Kickoff Event: Meet community leaders, hear firsthand stories about food insecurity, and explore the problem space.
Two Weeks of Ideation: Form teams, research challenges, and begin designing your solution. (Project proposals are due Sept 17th at midnight.)
[Sept 24th–26th] 48-Hour Accelerator Hackathon: Bring your ideas to life during the in-person charity hackathon. Snacks, meals, and beverages will be provided.
Final Two Weeks: Polish your project, complete stretch goals, and prepare your presentation.
[Oct 10th] Final Showcase: Present your solution to a panel of judges, compete for cash prizes, and celebrate the innovation, collaboration, and impact created by the Hack Away Hunger community.
Post Hack Support: If you'd like to keep working with the nonprofits you meet at our hack hunger event let them know you'd like to volunteer. Current prize pool = $5,000!
Who Should Attend?
If you're reading this right now then this hackathon is for you! (Seriously, just sign up!) Whether you're a software developer, designer, product manager, UX researcher, data analyst, AI enthusiast, project manager, nonprofit leader, student, marketer, or simply someone who enjoys solving meaningful problems, you belong here. No hackathon experience is required. Just bring your curiosity, your skills, and your passion for helping others. Together, we'll build technology that helps strengthen food security across Greater Des Moines... one solution at a time.
Join us and help prove that when a community comes together, innovation can feed not only hope, but people in our community.
schedule
Hack Away Hunger Kickoff Event
Join us for an insightful panel discussion exploring the many factors contributing to food insecurity in our community. Tour the food pantry warehouse, connect with local leaders, and gather feedback on your ideas. Throughout the evening, you'll have access to collaborative workspaces to brainstorm, meet teammates, and begin prototyping. dsmHack will provide a Project Launch Worksheet, and our Board of Directors will be on site to answer questions, connect you with resources, and help you refine and scope your ideas.
◍ Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) - Food Pantry Networktickets
| Ticket | Price | Fee | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Admission | Free | No fee | Available | Free entry to the Hack Away Hunger: Food Insecurity Challenge Kickoff Event. |
prizes
| Place | Prize | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Prize Pool | Cash prizes | $5,000 |