FAM - Soteria Church

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.

FAM Ministry

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.

Visit the FAM Closet

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

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

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

Amazon Wish List

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.

Start the 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.