Through the FAM Ministry, Soteria Church is committed to walking alongside foster and adoptive families, offering tangible support and hope as they provide love and stability to children in need.
The Foster and Adoptive Ministry (FAM) at Soteria Church exists to serve and support families who care for children from difficult circumstances. We believe every life is valuable and seek to reflect the love of Christ by meeting practical needs and offering encouragement to those involved in foster care and adoption.
The FAM Closet
A key part of this ministry is the FAM Closet, which provides clothing and basic essentials to foster and adoptive families in the Des Moines area and surrounding communities. The closet operates by appointment only to ensure each family has a personalized and comfortable experience. To schedule a visit, follow the link below.
Donations
The FAM Closet is sustained through the generosity of our church and community. We rely on donations to keep the closet stocked and running efficiently. Because space is limited, we are only able to accept specific items based on current needs. To learn more about how you can help, visit our current donation list or Amazon wishlist. Contact us to arrange a donation drop-off.
Foster Care Wrap Around Ministry
Our church is called to love and support families who open their hearts and homes to children in foster care. This ministry exists to “wrap around” foster families with practical help, encouragement, and prayer—so they never feel alone in their journey.
Each foster family is paired with a small group of church families who come alongside them as a dedicated care team. These groups provide consistent support through weekly meals, intentional prayer, and relational encouragement, while also being available for expanded help as needs arise.
The goal is to create a rhythm of sustainable support: not overwhelming our volunteers, but establishing meaningful connections where foster families feel comfortable asking for help and volunteers find joy in serving together. This is the church being the church—bearing one another’s burdens and living out the love of Christ in action.
Support Foster & Adoptive Families
Attend the Hope Conference • November 14-15
We’re excited for the upcoming HOPE Conference (Nov. 14-15, 2025 at Capitol City Church in Des Moines). This gospel-centered event, hosted by Beauty Amidst the Ashes, equips and encourages families walking the journey of adoption, foster care, or caring for children in need. The weekend will feature worship, keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and opportunities to connect with ministries and other families. It’s a chance to be encouraged, gain resources, and build community. Follow the link for more information and registration.
Donate to the FAM Closet
At Soteria Church, we’re committed to supporting families and children who have just entered care or found their forever home. Our FAM Closet provides new and gently used essentials. View the list of items we can or cannot accept below and drop them off outside the closet.
GENERAL CLOSET NEEDS
Current accepted closet items:
- New shoes
- New socks
- New underwear/new sports bras
- New pillows
- Toiletries (new only)
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Tampons/maxi pads
- Hairbrushes/combs
- Body wash
- Toothbrushes/toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Razors
- Hair ties
- New burp cloths
- New baby bibs
- New baby bottles 4 or 8 oz
- New pacifiers (all sizes)
- New sippy cups
- New stuffed animals (limited space)
- New baby board books (limited space)
- New baby toys (limited space)
- Diapers (all sizes newborn to size 6 in complete packages)
- Pull-Ups in complete packages
- Baby wipes
- Diaper rash cream (new in package)
- New or very gently used clothing—newborn to young adult
- New or gently used winter coats and gear
- New or gently used blankets/sheets (twin size only)
- New or gently used infant carrier with at least 18 months left before expiration
- New or gently used car seats with at least 2 years before expiration
- New or gently used Pack and Plays (no older than 10 years)
- New or gently used high chair
- New or gently used baby blankets
- New or gently used strollers (single or double)
- New or gently used diaper bags
- New or gently used cribs/mattresses
- New or gently used backpacks or duffle bags
- Gift cards (Target, Walmart, Fareway, Hy-Vee) in $25, $50, or larger amounts
Items we cannot take:
- Used shoes
- Used socks
- Used underwear/bras
- Used winter boots
- Used pillows
- Partially used toiletry items
- Used toys, books or stuffed animals
- Used burp cloths
- Used bibs
- Used baby bottles or sippy cups
- For all gently used items, please nothing that is ripped, worn, stained, or cracked
Current Closet Needs
We love to see the items you have donated going out to help encourage families that care for kids coming from hard places. As we see things going out to be used, we have a need to replace them. Would you consider donating one of the items in the current needs list?
General Needs
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Gift Cards: Target and Walmart (great for filling urgent needs)
Underwear
- Men’s: Small, Medium, Large
- Women’s: XS (0–2), S (4–6), M (8–10), L (12–14)
- Boys: Sizes 4–16/18
- Girls: Sizes 4 (little) – 14/16 (teen)
- Toddlers (boys & girls): 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T
Socks
- Baby: 0–24 months
- Toddler: 2T–5T
- Little boys & girls
- Big boys & girls
- Women’s
- Men’s
Diapers & Wipes
- Diaper sizes: 4, 5, 6
- Wipes
- Diaper rash cream
Baby Care
- Baby shampoo
- Baby lotion
Pull-Ups
- Sizes: 2T/3T, 4T/5T, 6, 7
Feeding
- Pacifiers: All sizes
- Sippy cups: Tommy Tippee, Nuby, Avent
- Bottles: Dr. Brown’s, Avent, Nuk, MAM, Lansinoh
Foster Care
Foster care is an opportunity to take care of children who have been removed from their parents by DHS because of neglect or abuse. The goal of foster care is reunification first. If reunification fails, the case then goes to adoption.
In Central Iowa, the licensing agency to become a foster parent is Four Oaks. It usually takes about six to nine months to complete the licensing process.
Adoption Agency Suggestions
Domestic
International & Domestic
Adoption
International adoption or somewhere closer to home? How will I afford it? What is a home study? Adoption comes with many questions, and we are here to help. Get started by finding an agency.
Become a Host Family Through the Church
Together for Good is an organization that works with churches to find families that are willing to host children. Families will take children in for a short time to help their parents get back on their feet. The goal is to help maintain the family unit through a community of support to prevent children from going into foster care.
