A tub of water bottles outside the UGM. Photo from the UGM.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — The Union Gospel Mission in Sioux Falls is seeking donations of water and other items to help homeless people through the anticipated high heat and humidity.
Other hot weather-related needs include ball caps, ibuprofen, sunburn relief, sunscreen, lip balm, foot powder, summer clothing and shoes.
Below is the news release from the UGM with more details.
Sioux Falls, S.D. — Though summer has barely begun, rising temperatures this month may affect the health and wellbeing of homeless men, women and children on the streets, say officials at Union Gospel Mission.
“Our temperatures will be well into the 80s in the coming weeks,” said CEO Eric “Pineapple” Weber. “I want to ensure we’re prepared to meet the needs of the homeless right away.”
“Around 700 homeless people die of exposure to extreme cold and heat each year,” said Weber. “We want to make sure that doesn’t happen in our community.”
UGM staff provide bottled water to people when temperatures pose threats like dehydration, sunstroke and other conditions. “These health problems are a reality for our clients,” Weber said. “We plan to have water readily available in large tubs outside our building at 701 E. 8th Street for anyone to grab as they pass by.”
Other hot weather-related needs include ball caps, ibuprofen, sunburn relief, sunscreen, lip balm, foot powder, summer clothing and shoes.
Weber estimates the Mission provided more than 8,200 bottles of water to more than 1,000 individuals per week last summer. “The community was incredibly generous last summer! This year we want to begin collecting water and other hot-weather essentials now, so we can say ‘YES, we can help’ every time.”
Weber said during “heat advisory” days last summer, dozens of people came in seeking relief from the heat. “Our clinic helped with headaches, heat exhaustion, asthma, sunburns, foot problems and dehydration, and provided transportation to the hospital for those at severe risk. We’ll be providing remedies and on-site education sessions this summer with the SDSU Nursing Program to help support our homeless neighbors on the streets all summer long.”
UGM accepts donations Monday – Friday from 9am-4:30pm at the Main Office located at 701 E. 8th Street in Sioux Falls. Cash can be donated on the website link here. “We’ll provide shelter, meals, medical assistance and more for each person around $18.70 per day. That’s a total cost of $6,582 for each person per year,” Weber said. “We urge the community to help us meet these critical needs so no one has to suffer.”
Learn more about our programs, services and urgent needs at ugmsiouxfalls.com. For all additional questions contact us at office@ugmsiouxfalls.com or 605-334-6732.
