Hack Away Hunger: Food Insecurity Challenge
About this Event
In 30 Days, How Will You Make a Difference?
- Could you rethink how food reaches the people who need it most?
- Could you solve a challenge that food pantries face every day?
- Could you design technology that reduces waste or expands access?
- Could you share your story and help others better understand the realities of food insecurity in our community?
If any of those questions resonate with you, we'd love to have you join us!
dsmHack is proud to present Hack Away Hunger: Food Insecurity Challenge! A first-of-its-kind, community-powered charity hackathon dedicated to tackling food insecurity in the Greater Des Moines Metro.
Our motto: Hunger doesn't stop. Technology doesn't sleep.
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 meaningful 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.
- [Sept 24th–26th] 48-Hour Accelerator Hackathon: Bring your ideas to life during the in-person charity hackathon. We'll provide the snacks, meals, and beverages—you provide the awesome ideas.
- 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.
Current prize pool = $5,000!
Who Should Attend?
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 hope and save lives.
Sept 10
🕑: 05:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Hack Away Hunger Kickoff Event (Sept 10th at DMARC United)
Host: Dellen Burk-Flores, dsmHack Board President (Moderator)
Info: 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.
Sept 24–26
🕑: 06:00 PM - 06:00 PM
48-Hour In-Person Accelerator Hackathon (Sept 24th–26th at Corteva)
Info: The In-Person Accelerator Hackathon is where ideas become reality. Over an intensive 48 hours, teams will transform concepts into working solutions in a collaborative, high-energy environment. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages will be provided throughout the weekend, so you can stay focused on building instead of planning your next meal.
Oct 10
🕑: 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Final Presentations & Awards (October 10th)
Info: More info coming soon. The current prize pool is $5,000.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 30.00
