‘A huge difference’: Midwest Street Medicine now offering glasses

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Midwest Street Medicine is offering another resource for the unhoused population.

For almost two years, volunteers have given free medical care on the streets of Sioux Falls, and on Sunday morning, they handed out free glasses.

Inside the Union Gospel Mission, Midwest Street Medicine tried something new.

“We just recently got trained about being able to offer glasses to our unhoused population. We’re excited to be able to get people the accessories they need to be able to have their vision,” Midwest Street Medicine executive director Melissa Dittberner said.

Dittberner and her team have noticed a growing need for eye care.

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“People ask for it all the time, and I can’t imagine having that other extra added layer of barrier to not being able to see, not being able to write, not being able to use a computer. We’re excited to be able to decrease another barrier for them,” Dittberner said.

Amber Asher decided to check if she needed glasses but didn’t find the chart hard to read.

“No, I didn’t need them. Thank goodness,” Asher said.

But she’s thankful for the work that Midwest Street Medicine is doing.

“A huge difference because if you can’t see where you’re going or if you can’t make it across the street without a friend, it’s really hard for some of them because a lot of them get here, and they know they need glasses. They’re not really sure which ones, or where to go, or what insurances to get, so I think it’s very helpful,” Asher said.

Which gives the organization all the more reason to remember why they do what they do.

“I had everybody tell us their why as they introduced themselves this morning and their title on the team. The whys look like a lot of different things, but most of it was being able to give back, to be able to reach people where they are and take care of our relatives and our people on the street,” Dittberner said.

The non-profit also was giving medical care on the street today. You can find more information on Midwest Street Medicine here.