Rapid City, S.D. (KELO) — Organizations in Rapid City came together today to help those in need of everyday items.
More than a dozen organizations came together today to help nearly 700 people.
“If they have to visit up to 5 different agencies or non-profits, it could take them up to a month to get in for an appointment. So this way it helps the agencies also, because agencies can see up to 25 to 30 individuals and families in one day,” BHSSC Director of Educational Workforce Development Jeanne McKenna said.
Volunteers came from as far as Colorado.
Julesburg Christian Church drove up with a U-Haul full of clothes and other items.
“And it’s not a paying job, it’s all volunteer work. We came up here and I want to volunteer because this is for a good organization,” Colorado Volunteer Kevin Blake said.
Free clothes, hygiene kits, food from the Salvation Army and even free haircuts were available.
“To get clothes and kids clothes and shoes and everything. We try to get anything we can to bring up here to these people because some of these people are homeless, some of them just need the extra help and that’s what we’re here to do,” Blake said.
“There’s no limit to what you take. And I know some people just think, oh somebody is just going to come in and take everything, but that doesn’t happen. And those that are in poverty, you know, down on their luck at the moment, they’re very generous, they share with each other and that’s the thing. If someone leaves with 10 bags, they might have a family of 10 that are in their household,” McKenna said.
Community Connect holds these events twice a year and has been doing so for over a decade.
