Latest news with #St.FrancisHouse
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Easter blessing': Non-profit gives nearly 300 baskets
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Easter is a holiday celebrated by billions all over the world, including staff and guests at the St. Francis House in Sioux Falls. Sunday, they gave the neighborhood a nice Easter surprise. Volunteers get Camp Leif Ericson ready for summer Thanks to a partnership with CitiBank, the St. Francis House gives out Easter baskets to their own guests as well as people at Bishop Dudley, Union Gospel Mission and The Banquet. 'We line up the rest of the remaining baskets out front of the St. Francis house, and all of the neighborhood kids and the children who go to Our Lady of Guadalupe come over and experience the opportunity to pick out an Easter basket,' St. Francis House CEO Julie Becker said. 'It's great that they're doing things like this for our congregation since we're so close to each other,' Our Lady of Guadalupe congregation member Evelyn Duarte said. In total, the St. Francis House gave out almost 300 baskets this year. They were filled with sweet treats, stuffed animals and some toys. It helped make Easter a little brighter. 'I like to see how big of a difference it makes in the community,' Duarte said. 'It gives them hope. This gives them faith,' St. Francis House guest Arturo Celada said. 'It's good to bring the kids and see the kids come in and get the baskets from their loved ones.' 'It is a true Easter blessing because we want the St. Francis House to be seen as a safe home, not only for our guests to be able to live and rebuild their lives, but also for the neighborhood that they know that this is a place that people are welcome,' Becker said. Community-led movement aims to strengthen Sioux Falls The baskets help spread a message of what Easter is all about. 'Easter is not only about our religious beliefs, but it's also about being kind, helping others and bringing joy to others,' Becker said. The St. Francis House says there were somewhere between 40 and 60 baskets lined up outside Sunday. All of them were gone by about 10:30 Sunday morning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nonprofit hopes new movie inspires action
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A new movie about homelessness hits theaters on February 28th. But some got an early look at the film. 'No Address' is about four individuals who unexpectedly become homeless. On Thursday evening, the St. Francis House sold nearly 100 tickets for a VIP showing at the Cinemark Century East at Dawley Farm in Sioux Falls. The nonprofit hopes the new movie, highlighting homelessness, will inspire action. Rhoden on prison location: 'Everything on the table' '100% of that tonight goes to the St. Francis House,' St. Francis House CEO Julie Becker said. 'It is covering our community outreach work that we do by having staff go to the two emergency homeless shelters.' It's clear the crowd that showed up was there for more than just popcorn and a movie. 'It's just an eye-opening experience. Other situations that could happen could bring you into homelessness. Anyone is susceptible,' Jodee McMahon said. 'I think there's such a stigma with people who are homeless and movies like this help change people's ideas,' Larissa Deedrich said. Deedrich is the executive director of the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission. She's also seen the impact that homelessness can have on others. 'I'm hoping to take away some ideas on perhaps how we can use some of these in real life circumstances. I think it would be great if we can use this movie to educate people and let people know that homeless people are real,' Deedrich said. The St. Francis House hopes that anyone who sees the film can walk away with a new perspective. 'Maybe a renewed sense of purpose and more energy to keep going, especially in this time,' Lisa Bartell said. A silent auction is happening until Monday, March 3rd to support the St. Francis House. Click here to begin bidding. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
No Address movie highlights homelessness
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A movie hitting theaters next week will highlight homelessness. The movie is called No Address. 'The life of four individuals who end up homeless on the streets and really have no address. It's very raw and heart-wrenching,' St. Francis House CEO Julie Becker said. The storylines hit close to home Becker. Mayor's headline: Sioux Falls safest since pre-COVID 'When people walk in that door, they have many unique qualities that we need to try to help navigate them through our system that we have as nonprofits to make sure that they have an address,' Becker said. The St. Francis House is selling tickets to a showing of the movie on February 27th at Cinemark Century East at Dawley Farm in Sioux Falls. 'The 28th it's open to the public, so this is a really great, fun VIP event that only certain people are going to get to see this film before others,' Becker said. Becker hopes the movie encourages kindness and sparks action to address homelessness. 'Let's come together and treat individuals as people, and let's give them hope for the first time in a long time,' Becker said. You can buy tickets for the 27th by stopping by the St. Francis House, calling, or going to its website. Proceeds from the ticket sales and a portion of the proceeds from the No Address movie will benefit St. Francis House's community outreach. Other nonprofits in the country will benefit too. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
