SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – As part of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Sioux Falls, area agencies are coming together to better show the resources available to the city’s most vulnerable people.
The city’s Health and Human Services building along North Main Avenue is home to a variety of services that are there to help.
“Church on the Street, Falls Community Health along with the Public Health Department and Falls Dental Clinic upstairs,” Brett Johnson with Minnehaha County Human Services said. “As well as, we brought Journey of Hope here and we also have the Helpline Center.”
For Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, the organizations decided to come together for a resource fair.
“Making sure that those that are experiencing hunger or homelessness are more aware of the vast pool of resources that we have in Sioux Falls. I mean, we really are resource-rich,” Johnson said.
The Eat Well Mobile Market was there giving out gift cards to their grocery store on wheels, Minnehaha County hosted a drawing for bus passes and Church on the Street was keeping people warm.
“It’s just always good to see our folks,” Pastor Chris Matson with Church on the Street said. “Life is so hard and especially when the weather turns to be able to give out some socks and gloves and just meet people where they are is what we’re all about.”
It’s also a chance for these agencies to come together in their fight to help.
“None of us have all the answers. We’re well aware of that,” Johnson said. “So the key to collaborating is — I might see a need but I can’t fill it so I need to collaborate with another provider or resource in the community.”
“The need, unfortunately, is just increasing and so we step into that and lean into who are the folks that can partner with us and be able to take care of people because that’s what it’s really about,” Matson said.
There’s a number of events happening this week to raise awareness for hunger and homeless including the annual Walk a Mile in their Shoes event on Saturday:
- Wednesday: The Banquet and Lunch is Served
- Breakfast 7 to 8 am
- Dinner 6 to 7:30 pm
- Thursday: Call to Freedom and Urban Indian Health
- 12 to 1 pm @ 1800 W. 12th Street
- Red Sand Awareness Event
- Organizers ask attendees to wear red
- Friday: Union Gospel Mission and Faith Temple Food Giveaway
- 2 to 4 pm: Cocoa and Coats @ 705 E. 8th Street
- 4 to 6 pm: Faith Temple Food Giveaway @ 100 Lyon Blvd.
- Saturday: 8th Annual Walk a Mile
- 10:30 am registration, 11 am walk begins
- Start at Big Sioux River and 6th Street
