SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Downtown Sioux Falls is kicking off the holiday shopping season with a fundraiser.
After a year hiatus, the Downtown Gives Coupon Book is back this holiday season.
“It’s very worth doing and our retailers really appreciate it, the people shopping downtown really appreciate it and so it just made too much sense to bring it back,” DTSF President Joe Batcheller said.
DTSF President Joe Batcheller says 24 downtown Sioux Falls businesses are participating this winter, with offers ranging from coffee and cookies to art and clothing.
“Coupon book that people can go into participating businesses and purchase for $15 and with that they get some amazing deals,” Batcheller said.
The significance of the coupon book doesn’t end with deals for customers, it’s also a fundraiser, with this year’s proceeds benefiting Union Gospel Mission.
“They look at the things that they’re doing on east 8th street with our unhoused population, they’re distributing meals, they are putting people up at night, they have a thrift store,” Batcheller said. “They’re trying to lift people up and I think that resonates with other folks.”
“It means that our community downtown understands what we’re doing here at the mission and they’re like ‘let’s support them supporting people in our community’,” Union Gospel Mission CEO Eric Weber said.
Weber says the money will be put to good use at UGM, where they serve upwards of 700 meals per day.
“Food, as you know, has gone up so those dollars are going to help us subsidize the expense to really feed the people in our community,” Weber said.
Making the Downtown Gives Coupon Book a victory for everyone involved.
“We get to help out a great organization and people in need by Christmas shopping, it’s kind of a win, win, win,” Batcheller said.
The Downtown Gives Coupon Book is now available at participating businesses at a cost of $15. You can pick one up through December 31. The coupons must be used by March 31, 2025.
