Jan. 31, 2025

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

Sioux Valley Energy

Fifteen organizations in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties will share more than $20,000 in funding from Sioux Valley Energy’s Operation Round Up program. The recipients are Baltic Community Club in Baltic; Brandon Valley Band Parents, Brandon Valley Hockey Association and Dynamic Dance Booster Club, all of Brandon; city of Colton; Palisades State Park near Garretson; Christ Lutheran Church Daycare in Hartford; Breathe Bravely, Catholic Community Foundation, Great Bear Sky Valley Adaptive Skier Program, Independent Living Choices ADA 35 Festival, Rare by Design, Volunteers of America and Washington Pavilion Management Inc., all of Sioux Falls; and TSC Blaze in Tea. Grants for the quarter also were given to other organizations throughout the energy co-operative’s service area. Funds come from participating co-op members who round up their electric bill and co-op employees who donate from their paycheck each month. The next deadline to apply for funding is Feb. 20.

Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar

Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar in the Ramkota Waterpark is donating $5 from every medium heart-shaped pizza and Diamond Squarefooter sold from Feb. 14-16 to The Salvation Army and the Angel Tree Program.

Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee will provide 1,500 free biometric screenings at select Hy-Vee stores throughout its eight-state region, including those in Sioux Falls, during February’s American Heart Month. A biometric screening is a combination of measurements and readings that may help identify potential risk factors for chronic diseases or conditions such as heart disease, hypertension or diabetes. Results will be reviewed during the screening. Registration is required, which can be done online. Free biometric screenings are provided in partnership with Silk, Mid-Day Squares, PB2 Performance Protein and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

Hy-Vee has donated more than $468,000 to Feeding South Dakota as part of its 20-month 100 Million Meals Challenge in partnership with Feeding America. The campaign brought together customers, suppliers and food bank partners to help support people across the Midwest who experience food insecurity. The donation to Feeding South Dakota represents funds collected through the register round up campaign at South Dakota Hy-Vee stores, Dollar Fresh Market and Fast & Fresh locations. Suppliers who participated in donating food included Smithfield, Hormel Foods and General Mills. Across its nine-state region, more than 102 million meals were donated to Feeding America partner food banks, surpassing Hy-Vee’s goal.

CorTrust Bank

In 2024, CorTrust Bank’s Cares Jeans Day program donated $17,425 to more than 40 local nonprofits in the areas it serves. In exchange for a financial gift each month, CorTrust employees can wear jeans on Fridays.

Mission Meow

Sioux Empire TNR Coalition received a $9,300 grant from New Jersey nonprofit Mission Meow in support of its Trap/Neuter/Return program to end cat overpopulation and improve the save rate for cats in local shelters and private rescues.

Pathward

Pathward employees prepared sack lunches and organized dry storage at St. Francis House as part of Pathward’s Volunteer Week in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and the National Day of Service.

Schulte Subaru

Schulte Subaru donated 120 new coats to Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety to help children who are in urgent need of staying warm this winter. The gift was part of the Subaru Loves to Help initiative and Subaru’s partnership with Operation Warm. Schulte Subaru staff also donated a message board with motivational stickers for the children. The stickers included notes such as “I am loved,” “I am kind” and “I am courageous.”