ROCK VALLEY—Love INC of Sioux County has decided to expand Rides of Love Ministry.
It did so for several reasons — the most important one being that based on community assessments, conversations with local churches, health-care facilities, city leaders and other agencies, Love INC saw the transportation need rise to the surface in Sioux County.
“Love INC works very hard to maintain relationships with, first and foremost, local churches but also with local schools, agencies, and other nonprofits throughout our county by attending various joint provider meetings where local services are discussed,” said Debbie Van’t Hul, executive director of Love INC of Sioux County.
Love INC will utilize its partners in ministry — local church volunteers — to provide rides to medical and mental health appointments.
“Our prayer is that we will be able to build a database of volunteers from each community throughout Sioux County to meet the transportation requests,” Van’t Hul said.
Individuals who are willing and able to give rides will be asked to provide Love INC with a copy of their driver’s license and insurance card. Volunteers will be asked the days/times they are available to drive and how far they are willing to drive.
Many appointments are right in Sioux County; however, sometimes specialist appointments are required in Sioux Falls, SD, or Sioux City.
Each ride request is verified by Love INC in partnership with the local medical or mental health facility. Volunteers will receive information regarding the individual they will be driving, time commitment involved, and directions and other pertinent information.
“This is a tangible way for the church to engage with Love INC and build relationships with people in their own community,” Van’t Hul said.
Love INC of Sioux County is based in Rock Valley. Its phone number is 712-476-5990.