Union Gospel Mission to host block party for downtown neighbors

The Union Gospel Mission is hosting a unique way for the neighborhood surrounding the Eight Street corridor on which it’s located to connect with each other. The Rock the Block party will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Open to the mission’s homeless constituents as well as the housed people who live nearby, the event will serve as a community bonding experience with plenty of events to fill the day.

Expect free food, live music, activities for kids and adults, and more. You’ll learn about bike safety on the growing streets of Sioux Falls, as well as outreach opportunities for those who are passionate about the homeless community. Free haircuts will be available as well as hygiene products for those who need them.

The Union Gospel Mission says it hopes that the event will be a way for those in the community to connect.

“This is all part of the Mission’s vision to ‘Love Out Loud!’” in our community,” CEO Eric “Pineapple” Weber said. “This event is ‘come as you are.’ We want people to know we are offering hope and stability as a positive force for unity and service in our community.” 

The Union Gospel Mission has served the downtown Sioux Falls community as a homeless shelter for more than a century, beginning in 1900.

The BAM Institute of Civic Biodesign and the Union Gospel Mission will be hosting another event that day. The Future of East 8th Street, which will take place from 9 to 11 a.m., will feature the painting of a crosswalk on Eighth Street and a community forum to give those interested in or affected by the Eighth Street corridor a chance to share their thoughts and opinions on the future of the area.

The block party will take place north of the Union Gospel Mission’s main location at 701 E. Eighth St. The community forum will take place in front of the Union Gospel Mission Thrift Store at 705 E. Eighth St.

The Union Gospel Mission is still looking for volunteers to help during the day, with positions in entertainment, kids activities and food service as well as many others. It also is looking for hair stylists to participate in the free haircut booth.

Contact Ian Grove at iang@ugmsiouxfalls.com or 605-334-6732 for event information, to sign up to volunteer or donate goods for the event.

From downtown to the east, neighborhood feels strain of new demands on social services