April 30, 2026

Giving Back recognizes businesses and organizations that are helping our communities. Here’s a look at who gave back for April.

Active Generations

Active Generations raised $125,000 through its March for Meals campaign to address senior hunger in the Sioux Empire. These funds will expand Active Generations’ Nutrition Program outreach, including congregate dining and Meals on Wheels home delivery for adults 60 and older. Lead sponsors Avera, Citi, Lewis Drug, Minnwest Bank and First Premier Bank/Premier Bankcard provided a combined $52,000 contribution, which anchored the campaign. Local restaurant partners such as R Wine Bar & Kitchen, Brix Wine Bar, Trio Jazz Club, Maribella Ristorante and The Barrel House also contributed to the campaign’s success by donating 10 percent of one night’s sales.

Central Bank

As part of grand opening celebrations for Central Bank’s newly constructed branch in Brookings, the bank donated $8,750 each to Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains and Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program. The donations were made possible through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Member Impact Fund. In addition, Central Bank has been hosting a “Make It Happen” community campaign, inviting individuals to share their financial goals. During an open house this week, several winners were selected to receive a portion of $5,000 in total prize funding to support their financial dreams.

American Bank & Trust

American Bank & Trust has donated $1,000 each to four Sioux Falls-area school districts through its Spirit Card Program. The money, which was generated through use of the debit cards by bank customers, will help fund general education needs at Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools; athletic equipment and uniforms, including pink uniforms for cancer awareness, at the Lennox School District; supplementing equipment and supply purchases at the Harrisburg School District; and general facility upgrades at the Tea Area School District.

Black Hills Federal Credit Union

Black Hills Federal Credit Union has chosen 10 high school seniors in South Dakota, including one from the Sioux Falls area — Aspen Steinmetz of Canton High School — to receive $2,000 scholarships for their first year of higher education.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls/Stronghold ICF

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls partnered with Stronghold ICF through the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s Build With Strength coalition to build a twin home in Habitat’s Millard Acres development in northeast Sioux Falls. Stronghold ICF donated the insulated concrete form block for the project. The partnership is part of a wider initiative between Build with Strength and Habitat for Humanity International to construct 50 sustainable concrete homes in 50 states in five years.

The Human Bean

For its next Giveback Day, The Human Bean is donating 10 percent of sales Friday, May 1, to the GreatLIFE PLAY Everything Foundation.

On Earth Day, The Human Bean raised $324, which will plant 324 trees in coffee-growing regions worldwide, as part of a fundraising effort in partnership with Trees for the Future.

Hy-Vee

Sioux Falls-area Hy-Vee stores have surpassed a major milestone in giving, with more than $3 million donated to local nonprofit organizations through the Operation Helpful Smile program. Founded in 2005, the mission of the program is to strengthen the Sioux Falls community through impactful local organizations. Each week, a different nonprofit receives funds donated by customers at Hy-Vee checkouts. Hy-Vee and its vendor partners match customer donations up to $1,000 for each nonprofit. In addition to the 52 organizations that receive proceeds through the weekly fundraisers, Operation Helpful Smile also provides support to several other nonprofits throughout the year.

Levo Credit Union

Levo Credit Union, with the assistance of Air Madness and KELO-TV and a match from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, donated $34,500 to the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Fund. The donation was part of the credit union’s Operation Hope and Caring campaign, which supplies funding for projects in Title I schools. Air Madness, Levo and KELO hosted a fundraiser at the trampoline park for the cause in February. Levo donated all proceeds from the sale of Perky Coffee and Levo coffee mugs from January through March and also collected laundry detergent for the schools to use when washing kids’ clothing.

Pathward

Pathward has awarded $30,000 to nonprofit partner EmBe. The charitable investment expands Pathward’s support of two programs: Making Cent$ Financial Literacy and Dress for Success Career Readiness. In addition to funding, Pathward has increased employee volunteer engagement and donated 20 laptops to enhance program delivery, including support for hybrid and virtual learning opportunities.

South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation

The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation has organized a fundraising effort to assist Nebraska ranchers affected by recent wildfires that destroyed grazing fields, feed and infrastructure. The foundation will match donations up to a total of $10,000 to pay for the cost of fuel to move hay from South Dakota to the areas in Nebraska in the highest need. Funds exceeding the need for fuel will be donated directly to fire-relief efforts in Nebraska to purchase fencing supplies and meet other needs ranchers have.

Ty Eschenbaum Foundation

The Ty Eschenbaum Foundation donated $100,000 to Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana on World Wish Day, which was April 29. Ty Eschenbaum was the recipient of a wish as a child. World Wish Day honors the first wish granted and celebrates the global impact of the wish-granting movement.