The rumble of motorcycles has noticeably diminished in and around Sturgis as another Sturgis motorcycle rally comes to an end. The 77th rally officially ended its 10-day run Sunday, August 13 and statistics show that estimated attendance for the 2017 event was up slightly from a year ago.

United Methodists in Sturgis, Presho, Kennebec and Reliance reached out to rally-goers by greeting them at the rest area and serving Meals on Wheels. 

In the middle of South Dakota

A key stop for many motorcyclists on their way to the rally is the rest area along Interstate Highway 90 at Milepost 221, about 4 miles west of Presho, South Dakota. If you stop, you will find United Methodists from the churches in Kennebec, Presho and Reliance greeting people and serving lemonade and cookies.

“We are at the rest stop to greet and welcome people. We want to let them know that we care about them as they travel to Sturgis,” said Kristen Krogman, Kennebec / Presho / Relinace UMC.

The church has been greeting people at the rest area for the past couple of years. Travis Krogman serves as the pastor and saw it as a way to reach out to people. “It is not about finding new members for our church,” said Pastor Travis. “We just want to be there. We ask people if they are in need of prayer. We have Bibles for children and adults if they want to take one. We also offer some refreshments.”

In the late afternoon, when the Krogmans were at the rest area, they met a grandmother on her way to the rally. They noticed she was hanging around the table when she asked, “How much are these children’s Bibles.”  Their response was there is no fee, only a donation if you would like.  She walked away.

Krogmans approached her as she left and handed her the Bible. She accepted the Bible with tears in her eyes and mentioned that her grandson could really use this as her daughter did not attend a church. They all stopped and prayed together.

Sturgis UMC wheeling out the meals

During the motorcycle rally, each day, 38 people gather at Sturgis UMC kitchen to make fresh meals that they then deliver to 50 homes. The deliveries are to the homes of those that normally receive Meals on Wheels.

It could be a nightmare to deliver the meals with so many people in town. But travel was a breeze for the Sturgis UMC volunteers who have learned to travel back roads to get where they need to during rally week. The meals are a change of pace from the weekly Meals on Wheels fare they get from the local senior citizen's center. The United Methodists see the effort as a church service project.  Click here to read the story that Deb Holland reported in 2015.
Photo courtesy Sturgis UMC.

 Amid the sea of black leather, the riders to and at the Sturgis motorcycle rally will find United Methodists providing a caring smile and hand.