This virus has brought some new challenges to the Bishop Dudley House over the past couple weeks but we are learning to adapt to a new normal to keep our guests and staff safe. We will continue to keep our facility open to our guests to keep 150+ people from sleeping on the street each night. While social distancing is impossible for us here, there are many things we have been doing to keep our guests safe. We have put in place new strict cleaning protocols that happen multiple times a day, installed hand washing stations so that everyone who enters the building can wash their hands immediately and changed some rules and hours to encourage guests to “self quarantine” in the facility instead of walking around in the neighborhood. Our team has been staying late and coming in early to ensure we are keeping our facility clean and our guests safe.
With our handy bleach solution, lots of hand washing and a positive team attitude
we are taking each day as it comes!
So how can you help us?
Monetary donations: The increase of cleaning supplies, staffing needs and other resources are unforeseen expenses that are compounding with the daily expenses of running the facility. We need the help of our community to be able to continue our essential services like lunch, showers and shelter. Monetary donations of any amount are essential right now to make sure we can keep our doors open to protect our homeless neighbors. Please help us help keep some of the most vulnerable people in Sioux Falls safe. Donate easily on our website HERE
Other Donations: We are currently in need of the following items
disinfectant wipes
hand sanitizer
masks
bleach
sturdy compartment paper plates
8 oz Styrofoam cups
plastic utensils
60 gallon garbage bags
latex or non latex gloves
Gift Cards to:
HyVee, Walmart, Pizza Ranch, Little Caesar’s, Subway (these help us purchase prepared food for lunch for our guests)
Please call ahead and we can arrange for a staff member to come get the items from you in the parking lot.
Volunteering: We have asked all volunteers to stay at home indefinitely. If you are currently a volunteer or want to volunteer in the future please stay at home and keep yourself healthy, but keep us in mind for the future. We will need your help!
Prayer: The homeless and those living in poverty in our community are already vulnerable and under an immense amount of stress without the COVID-19 pandemic. This virus isn’t making life any easier for our friends. Please keep them in your prayers.
Thank you for your support of your homeless neighbors during this time. We appreciate you!
-BDHH Staff