Author Archives: merlehayadmin

Renew your dues, or join MHNA for the first time!

It’s not too early to renew your MHNA dues for 2020, or join us for the first time! Please support the only organization that is solely dedicated to improving quality of life in the Merle Hay neighborhood.

So what does MHNA do? The short answer is: A little bit of everything. Think of us as the neighborhood’s eyes and ears. We work with the mayor and city council, police, the parks department, public works, engineering, county officials, and the school system. We work on civic issues big and small to help make the Merle Hay neighborhood a better place to live, work, and play.

MHNA membership is open to anyone who lives or owns a business within MHNA’s boundaries. Annual dues are payable at the annual meeting in January, or can be mailed to the association at: P.O. Box 31036, Des Moines, IA 50310.

Members may take part in MHNA decision-making on planning, development, zoning, infrastructure, streets and parks, beautification, and other community service and education projects, and social events. Associate memberships are available to those outside MHNA’s boundaries, though associate members may not vote on MHNA business.

Membership rates are as follows:

$10 for a church, school, or other non-profit
$15 for an individual
$30 for a couple
$30 for a business

Please join us and invite your neighbors to do the same!

Help MHNA Keep the Kids Warm on October 17!

Leave a reply

The Merle Hay Neighborhood Association will once again collect food and clothing donations for the less fortunate when we meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, at the Northwest Community Center.

Through our “Keep the Kids Warm!” program, we will collect winter clothing for students at Moore Elementary School. Donations of new coats, boots, stocking hats, gloves, and mittens are greatly appreciated.

For more information about the clothing drive, contact Kathy Battles by email at kmbattles@msn.com, or 515.865.3040.

The food we collect will be donated to the Des Moines Area Religious Council’s Food Pantry Program. For more information about the most-needed food items, please visit: https://www.dmarcunited.org/movethefood/

We will also accept free-will monetary donations for each program and use the funds to further each cause. Please help us continue our success!

MHNA Meeting and Annual Supper on October 17

Leave a reply

Bring your appetite and ideas for our neighborhood when the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association meets at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 17 at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave.

Our evening will start tastily enough with the popular annual supper, featuring a variety of soups, sides, and desserts. If you’d like to contribute to the culinary cause, please contact April at 515.707.6386. The meeting portion will feature a discussion about neighborhood priorities for 2019 and beyond.

Before we meet, we encourage everyone to review the Merle Hay Neighborhood Plan. A copy can be found online at https://bit.ly/2ncr4Br. Some food for thought:

What does the neighborhood plan get right and wrong?
What needs and priorities have emerged since the plan was adopted in 2008?
What are the Merle Hay neighborhood’s biggest successes and challenges? How can MHNA do better?

We will also be joined by a staff member from the City of Des Moines’ Engineering Department to discuss forthcoming improvements to Franklin Avenue. Storm sewer work along Franklin Avenue will require sections of the roadway to be reconstructed. A variety of other improvements are being considered as part of the project. An open house was held in June, where approximately 50 northwest-side citizens came to learn and ask questions about features such as on-street parking, on-street bicycle lanes, and a multi-use path.

As always, the meeting will also include neighborhood news, public safety updates, and more. Please mark your calendar and invite your neighbors! This is our last chance to gather in 2018 and we look forward to a great turnout.

DMARC Mobile Food Pantry Locations in NW Des Moines

Leave a reply

The Des Moines Area Religious Council’s mobile food pantry is adding another stop in northwest Des Moines. Beginning September 16, the mobile food pantry will operate from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month at the Northwest Community of Christ, 3003 62nd Ave.

DMARC’s mobile food pantry also operates at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave., from noon to 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month.

Our neighbors at Northwest Community of Christ also want everyone to know that they will accept food donations for the DMARC food pantry program from 9 a.m. until noon on Sundays, and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Complete food pantry program details can be found on the DMARC website. Please share this information with anyone who might be in need, and support the food pantry program if you can. A reminder that MHNA is always willing to accept food donations that can be taken to DMARC when we hold quarterly neighborhood meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday in January, April, July, and October.