Halloween on the Hill (HOTH) returns as Des Moines’s premier Halloween night event – October 31 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  Residents of the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood will be going all out to decorate their homes with spooky scenes while collecting donations for the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry.  

This neighborhood haunted house is a great family event for all ages and a fun way to support those in need in our community.  Visitors can expect to see lots of creatures, Imperial storm troopers, Medieval knights, zombie spiders, Freddy Kruger roaming the streets, a full-size pirate ship, live performances of Thriller, and much more. 

Sherman Hill Neighborhood is proud support the DMARC Food Pantry Network during a record level of need/ through this free-will donation event. attendees are asked to bring contributions of non-perishable food, other needed items, or donations to help support the network of 14 Des Moines Metro area food pantries. Last Year (fiscal year), the DMARC Food Pantry Network assisted over 70,000 unique individuals – a record in the nearly 50-year history of the charitable organization. DMARC’s most need food donations are peanut butter, whole-grain cereal, and fruit canned in its own juice. See a full list online of need items at https://bit.ly/dmarcfood

When you drop off your donation, you will be given a map and information to guide you to the spookiest displays.  There will be 2 collection points during the event:  

• Hoyt Sherman Place (1501 Woodland Ave.)  
• 15^th St. & Center St. (UnityPoint parking lot)

You can also donate before, after, or during the event here: https://halloween-on-the-hill-2024.justgiving-sites.com/

Halloween on the Hill could not happen without volunteers.  Sign up here to join the action: https://forms.gle/zgkNuyCX1Uvp7PKy7

This event is all trick, no treats!  However, hot chocolate and other items will be for sale with proceeds going to the Beacon of Life a nonprofit which empowers women in crisis.

Multiple streets in Sherman Hill will be closed to all vehicle traffic during the event.  Visitors are encouraged to carpool and should park at the designated parking lots and parking garage at UnityPoint.  Signs will direct traffic to lots within one block of the event. 

Facebook event for live updates: https://www.facebook.com/share/L1QAfrm1Uhia7w4S/ 

2023 event :

$9,332 raised for DMARC which includes:

• $3,923 collected at the event/online
• $2,745 from net proceeds after expenses to the Sherman Hill Association.
• $2,000 from Lua Brewing – HOTH BROTH sales
• $935 from Principal Financial Group employees
• 2,698 food items collected at the event.
• Estimated 4000+ in attendance.
• The Beacon also raised $734 through the sale of hot chocolate and cider.

Giving examples

• $5 = 6 healthy meals for 1 person
• $10 = 3-day supply (9 healthy meals) for one person living with food insecurity
• $25 = Provides one jar of peanut butter for 23 households
• $50 = 5-month supply of cereal for a household of four
• $100 = 108 meals for one person experiencing food insecurity

Thank you to our sponsors!

Unity Point Health | Hoyt Sherman Place