April 8, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Sioux Empire United Way.

Start with the simple math.

There are more than 3,000 employees at the Smithfield Foods pork processing facility in Sioux Falls.

Three out of every four of them give annually to Sioux Empire United Way.

And in the most recent annual campaign, their collective contributions totaled more than $514,000.

“It’s been awesome – and consistently we’ve been in that $500,000 range,” general manager Frank Kern said.

“We have tremendous donors to United Way, both hourly employees and management, who have done it year after year and really help drive our giving.”

Since 1999, Smithfield employee giving to Sioux Empire United Way has totaled more than $12 million. For context, this year’s entire community-wide campaign aimed to raise more than $9.2 million.

“Giving back is deeply embedded in the culture at Smithfield,” Sioux Empire United Way CEO Lisa Romkema said.

“What’s especially remarkable is the consistency of that support year after year. This isn’t a one-time effort — it’s part of how Smithfield operates as an employer and engages with the community. The culture of giving is clearly reinforced from the top down, with leadership setting an example that inspires employees to get involved and make a meaningful impact.”

Within Smithfield, there’s significant engagement, Kern said.

About 20 team members are leaders within the plant in soliciting donations and helping their colleagues understand what Sioux Empire United Way represents.

“We’re communicating that throughout the year and showing how United Way works hand in hand with other organizations,” Kern said.

“Our people are very giving. They’re compassionate. They’ve utilized some of those resources themselves, and they understand that our organization is a big part of the community. We only strengthen the community through giving.”

This year, Smithfield’s commitment was recognized with a Sioux Empire United Way Business of the Year Award.

“Our decision to recognize them this year was driven not only by the total dollars contributed but by the strength of their employee engagement,” Romkema said.

More than 75 percent of the Smithfield workforce participates in giving, “which is truly exceptional,” she added.

“That combination of generosity, participation and long-term commitment makes them a standout example of what a strong workplace campaign can look like.”

Additionally, there are more than 650 Smithfield Heart Club members in Sioux Falls, representing individual annual gifts of at least $500 each.

“We also had several employees contribute this year who are in their first year with us,” Kern added. “It’s a really good sign they’re invested in the community, they understand Sioux Empire United Way and what it stands for and makes available in the community.”

As an employer, Smithfield “does a great job of making giving both accessible and meaningful for their employees,” Romkema said.

Strategies that other employers might consider include:

• Offering additional PTO days tied to certain levels of giving.
• Celebrating campaign success internally, including recognizing departments that go above and beyond.
• Creating opportunities to share about Sioux Empire United Way programs and local impact.

Departments can get a bit competitive, Kern acknowledged.

“But we keep it fun,” he added. “We’ve had ice cream socials, luncheons, and, of course, we recognize the department with the greatest number of employees that contributed.”

There’s also strong and ongoing collaboration between Smithfield and Sioux Empire United Way.

United Way team members work closely with Smithfield to communicate information about programs funded through the annual campaign. Additionally, Kern now serves on the SEUW board of directors.

 “I think it’s opened up a better understanding for me of just how big this organization is throughout the community – all the services and impact it supports,” he said.

“One in three community members utilize a United Way program as a resource, so it’s important to educate employees on what is available and what it means to our overall community.”

That level of leadership involvement “helps strengthen the connection between their workforce and the impact happening in the community, and allows for continued alignment between their efforts and the needs we’re addressing locally,” Romkema said.

“Partnerships like Smithfield’s are incredibly important to the work we do. Because of employers like them, we’re able to invest in programs that support children, vulnerable adults and people in crisis across the Sioux Empire. Smithfield’s commitment is a great example of how workplace giving can come together around a shared commitment to community.”