Local nonprofit reports Pride flag thefts

A local nonprofit that delivered rainbow flags across the metro for Pride month says more than a dozen of them have been stolen.

Why it matters: The flags are part of the group's mission to raise LGBTQ visibility and show support for the community.

State of play: Project Rainbow of Iowa delivered 255 rainbow flags to homes and businesses around the metro, raising $7K for Iowa Safe Schools and Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund.

• The group delivers the flags for $15 and picks them back up at the end of the month.

Driving the news: Volunteers started deliveries on Memorial Day and within 24 hours, they received their first theft report, founder Nick Klinkefus tells Axios.

• Since then, they've heard reports of at least 15 flag thefts, including a couple of homes where replacement flags were stolen again.

Zoom in: The thefts occurred around Des Moines including the city's south side, Beaverdale and Drake neighborhoods, Klinkefus says.

• The nonprofit encouraged households to make police reports.

What they're saying: "It's definitely validated the importance of what we do, even if it's such a small gesture like flying a flag," Klinkefus says.

What's next: An anonymous donor is contributing an additional $100 to Iowa Safe Schools for every stolen flag.

• Project Rainbow is also raising funds to help replace them.

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