Hack Away Hunger Kickoff Event
Time & Location
Thursday, September 10th
from 5 pm to 10 pm
Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC)
100 Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA 50315
Schedule of Event
4:30 pm – Doors Open
5:00 pm – Check-In & Dinner Served (Buffet Style)
5:45 pm – “Understanding Hunger: Voices from the Front Lines” Panel Discussion
6:15 pm – “Why Hunger Happens: Data, Systems, Policy & Power” Panel Discussion
6:45 pm – “Food Security: Tech Problems to Possibilities” Panel Discussion
7:15 pm – Warehouse Tours Begin
7:20 pm – 10:00 pm – Collaboration & Pre-Hack Team Formation
Thank you to Hack Away Hunger’s Presenting Sponsor!
Thank you to our Terabyte Sponsor!
Thank you to our Gigabyte Sponsors!
Thank you to our Megabyte Sponsors!
Thank you to our Kilobyte Sponsors!
Casey’s
Hack Away Hunger is made possible in part through the generous support of dsmHack’s annual sponsors, whose contributions to our 12th annual charity hackathon are also helping to sustain our year-round mission and community programming. A special thank you to Wellabe, West48, Lean TECHniques, Lincoln Savings Bank, McWallen Fund, PhilanthroPics by Dellen, and Source Allies for supporting dsmHack’s efforts to ensure that technology is not a barrier to doing good. Without you, we would not be able to serve local nonprofits in the Greater Des Moines Metro and beyond. Thank you!!
Dellen Burk-Flores
Panel Moderator/dsmHack President
Dellen is a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, and community builder who brings people, ideas, and resources together to tackle complex community challenges. She is the Director of Strategic Growth & Philanthropy at CultureALL, where she works to grow the organization’s impact through charitable giving and partnerships that prioritize authentic human connection.
Dellen is passionate about using technology for good. She serves in leadership roles with dsmHack, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global + Central Iowa Chapter), Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network (NTEN), ISU Startup Factory, Iowa JPEC Venture Mentoring Service, 100+ Women Who Care, Des Moines, and TechforChange. Recent speaking gigs include: Women Lead Change, ENTREFest, Iowa Nonprofit Alliance, and the Technology Association of Iowa’s 2026 Catalyst event.
Her commitment to service began at age five, when she first volunteered to help feed individuals experiencing homelessness. By the time she graduated from high school, she had logged more than 6,000 volunteer hours, much of it spent collecting and distributing food through the SDA Van Ministry. That early experience continues to shape her approach to community work: listen first, bring the right people together, and find practical ways to turn good ideas into meaningful impact.
“Understanding Hunger: Voices from the Front Lines” Panelists
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April Clark
Community Programs Manager at CULTIVATE Local Food Connections
April is an urban farmer, educator, and community food advocate. In addition to her work with CULTIVATE, April co-runs Iowa Wildcraft with her partner, focusing on sustainable growing and foraging, food preservation, and regenerative practices. She is passionate about strengthening local food systems through hands-on education, food justice, environmental stewardship, and sharing the skills that help communities grow, preserve, and care for their own food. -
Matt Unger
Des Moines Community Leader/Coalition Builder
After a dozen years in politics and government, Matt Unger spent the next twelve years fighting food insecurity, most recently as CEO of the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC), stepping down after a six year tenure. Unger came to DMARC after a 6+ year tenure at the Food Bank of Iowa, finishing his time there as Chief Operating Officer.Unger has been active in many community organizations and task forces, serving on the boards of directors for the Korean Cultural Center, The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and as a founding board member of both the Iowa Hunger Coalition and Iowa Nonprofit Alliance.
A Drake University graduate, Matt has called Des Moines home for nearly 30 years.
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Patty Sneddon-Kisting
CEO of the Urbandale Food Pantry
Patty leads efforts to provide food with dignity and compassion to thousands of families in Iowa. Under her leadership, the Urbandale Food Pantry has expanded access to food, developed innovative community partnerships, and launched a Community Hub model that brings multiple services under one roof. Patty is passionate about collaboration, nonprofit innovation, and strengthening communities through meaningful connections. -
Shannon Draayer
Executive Director of Community Nutrition for WesleyLife
In her role with WesleyLife, Shannon leads the Non Profit’s focus on nutrition and combatting food insecurity, including and hydroponic farm and meal program serving nearly 2,000 meals each day. She earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in Journalism and Political Science and a Masters of Communications Leadership from Drake University. In 2024 Shannon was recognized as one of the Des Moines Business Record’s 40 Under 40 Business Leaders. She lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with her husband, Adam, and two boys.
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Zuli Garcia
Executive Director of Knock and Drop Iowa
Knock and Drop Iowa is a nonprofit dedicated to reducing food insecurity while connecting families to health education, essential resources, and community support. A cervical cancer survivor and passionate community advocate, she transforms her lived experience into culturally responsive programs that break down barriers to healthcare, language access, and opportunity. Through collaboration, innovation, and service, Zuli is building stronger, healthier communities across Iowa—one family at a time.
“Why Hunger Happens: Data, Systems, Policy & Power” Panelists
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Audrey Kennis
Director of Human Services for the City of West Des Moines
Audrey is an educator, civic leader, and advocate for sustainable communities. In her role, she helps develop policies and programs that support underserved populations and expand opportunities for food and economic security. Originally from Denver, Colorado, she earned degrees in Elementary Education, Philosophy, and Education, with additional graduate studies in Community and Regional Planning. Recognized for her leadership and community impact, Kennis is guided by her commitments as a wife, mother, and woman of faith. -
Kathy Underhill
CEO of the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC)
Underhill has spent over 20 years working on the issue of hunger at every level of the nonprofit and government landscape. Most recently, she has overseen nine federal nutrition programs working for the state of Colorado, managing the distribution of more than 80 million dollars in American-grown food. Underhill was instrumental in the founding of Hunger Free Colorado, serving as the founding CEO of the state’s leading anti-hunger organization. She has continued developing the next generation of advocates in the fight against food insecurity while teaching advocacy and policy at the University of Denver School of Social Work.
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Katie Sorrell
Executive Director of the Iowa Food Bank Association
Under Katie’s leadership, the Iowa Food Bank Association represents Iowa’s six Feeding America food banks and works to strengthen food access across the state. A registered dietitian with more than two decades of experience in nutrition education, food access, and public health, she previously served with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the University of California San Diego. Sorrell brings a strong background in connecting nutrition, agriculture, community partnerships, and public policy to address food insecurity and ensure more Iowans have access to nutritious food. -
Kyle Horn
Iowa State Organizer for REFORM Alliance
Kyle works to advance policies that improve public safety, strengthen Iowa's workforce, and support successful reentry. He previously founded and directed Job Honor, a multi-state initiative that encouraged employers to embrace Fair Chance hiring. Throughout his career, Kyle has built partnerships among employers, policymakers, and community leaders to expand opportunities for justice-impacted individuals and reduce barriers to long-term success. -
Lendie Follett, Ph.D.
Vice President of JustGive
Lendie is an Associate Professor of Business Analytics at Drake University, chairs the Department of Actuarial Science, Information Management, and Business Analytics, and serves on the board of directors of the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC). Her research focuses on using data, statistical modeling, and community engagement to help nonprofits and policymakers make informed decisions, particularly around food insecurity. She is co-organizing the first Iowa Food Security Forum, which uses deliberative democracy to better understand the experiences and preferences of Iowans facing food insecurity.
“Food Security: Tech Problems to Possibilities” Panelists
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Abdul Hannan
Solutions Architect at CommandStack Technologies
Abdul is an experienced software developer with a strong background in .NET, cloud technologies, DevOps, and AI-driven application development. Skilled in building scalable full-stack solutions, generative AI systems, and multi-agent platforms that solve complex business problems. Passionate about combining modern engineering practices with practical innovation to create reliable, high-impact technology products.
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Andrew Miller
Principal Engineer at 84EM
Andrew is a computer engineer based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he integrates AI from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google into software that businesses actually run on. He has been building for the web since 1995, long enough to be skeptical of solutions that look finished but don't hold up. He cares less about what AI can generate than about whether it solves the real problem, and how that solution affects the people who use it. -
Darin Webb
Software Engineering Manager at CodeAI/Code.org
Darin helps build and maintain technology that makes computer science education accessible to students around the world. A longtime Des Moines technology and nonprofit community advocate, Darin is also a founding organizer and former president of dsmHack, a charity hackathon connecting local technology professionals with nonprofits to solve real-world challenges. Outside of technology, he is involved in theater and circus arts and enjoys finding creative ways to bring people together.
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Rachelle Little
Fractional CTO & Vice President of dsmHack
Rachelle is a Des Moines-based consultant who helps organizations and nonprofits build the data systems and technology that stretch limited budgets and free up staff for mission-critical work. Her Data-First Design approach starts with how an organization actually runs, then fits the right tools around it. The result is technology that serves the people instead of the other way around. -
Mukta Nandwani
Chief Technology Officer at Findhelp.org
Additional Partners Available at the Kickoff
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CULTIVATE Local Food Connections
A Des Moines nonprofit focused on strengthening Iowa's local food system, particularly by supporting small-scale producers and regenerative agriculture. Its programs include getting locally grown food into food pantries and community fridges, reducing food waste, and connecting consumers with local producers.
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Eat Greater Des Moines
A Des Moines nonprofit working to build a healthier, more equitable food system. They do food rescue, community fridges, food distribution, and advocacy, connecting surplus food with people and organizations that can use it.
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Iowa Hunger Coalition
The Iowa Hunger Coalition brings together organizations and advocates working to end hunger and improve food security across Iowa. Through collaboration, advocacy, and education, the coalition works to strengthen the food system and ensure every Iowan has reliable access to nutritious food.
Representative: Andrea Cook, Executive Director of the Johnston Partnership
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Iowa Neighborhood ICE Response
Representative: Sonia Ashe
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Pyowa
Pyowa is Des Moines’ Python community, bringing together developers, data nerds, students, and Python enthusiasts to learn, share ideas, and connect. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just getting started, there’s a place for you at Pyowa.
Representative: Zachary Crane -
Supply Hive
A Des Moines-based mutual aid organization working to nourish and strengthen marginalized communities. Through food rescue, essential supplies, education, and community support, The Supply Hive connects resources with people who need them while promoting sustainability, equity, and local leadership.
Representative: Zakariyah Hill, Executive Director -
Get Pippa
Pippa is a habit-first nutrition app built on a simple idea: people don't need more data about their food, they need a reason to keep showing up. We're a small team rethinking how eating habits actually form — and making it fun enough that they stick.
Representative: Asray Gopa, Founder