March 10, 2025

This paid piece is sponsored by Active Generations.

Every month, more than 24,000 meals are delivered or served in a congregate setting to those 60 and older in Sioux Falls and surrounding communities.

It takes almost 40 routes Monday through Friday, hundreds of dedicated volunteers – and financial support.

“Our program relies heavily on the generosity of individuals and businesses,” said Betsy Schuster, president and CEO of Active Generations, which manages Meals on Wheels Sioux Empire.

Active Generations board member Stacy Wrightsman of Maguire and CEO and president Betsy Schuster volunteer their time to deliver meals.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support, and this month’s March for Meals campaign is an opportunity for everyone to come together and make a meaningful difference.”

While it’s easy to associate nutrition for older adults with home-delivered meals, Active Generations also offers many ways for them to share a healthy meal outside the home.

Both the location at 2300 W. 46th St. and the new east-side center at 5500 E. Active Generations Place offer lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 weekdays on the west side and 1 p.m. on the east side.

Nutrition director Rebecca Behnke develops a healthy, balanced menu that rotates daily. You don’t have to be a member to buy lunch, and the suggested donation is $5.25 for those 60 and older and $10 for those younger than 60.

The coffee shop also offers wraps for $3.50 and other grab-and-go affordable options.

If those 60 and older prefer to dine elsewhere, they still can work with Active Generations to save on meals. A partnership with Hy-Vee allows older adults to purchase a $120 punch card good for 20 pre-set meals at Hy-Vee locations. Click here to learn more.

Additionally, a growing partnership in the four-county metro area allows older adults to purchase a different punch card and receive 20 meals for a suggested donation of $5.25 per meal. Those are redeemable at two dozen participating sites so far, including small-town cafes. Click here to learn more.

“It’s about more than food. When you’re dining with other people, the social interaction that builds is such a benefit, and especially in small towns, this helps serve as a revenue driver to keep cafes open that are critical to our rural landscape,” Schuster said.

“These programs are open to anyone over 60 regardless of income, and we don’t turn anyone away if they don’t have the capacity to make the suggested donation, which is another reason why our donor support is so critical.”

How to help

March for Meals offers ways to support nutrition for older adults all month, especially this week.

Dine out

Several local restaurants are partnering to share a portion of their proceeds on dedicated days with Meals on Wheels Sioux Empire. Dine here to show your support:

• March 10: The Barrel House, 4701 E. 54th St.
• March 11: R Wine Bar at 322 E. Eighth St. and Maribella Ristorante, Brix Wine Bar and Trio Jazz Club at 360 S. Main Ave. from 4 p.m. to close; reservations are encouraged.
• March 13: Culver’s, 2800 S. Minnesota Ave., from 4 to 7 p.m.

Round up

Need to do some shopping as you plan for spring projects? Stop by any Nyberg’s Ace store in Sioux Falls, and round up to the nearest dollar from March 17-30 to support Meals on Wheels Sioux Empire.

Donate online

Rather donate without leaving your desk? Every online contribution helps ensure that those 60 and older receive the meals they rely on. Donate through this link. For corporate partnerships and support to Meals on Wheels, you can contact development director Wendy McDonnel at wmcdonnel@activegen.org.

Order catering

Did you know Active Generations now offers a catering service? There’s a full menu of breakfast options, boxed lunches, entrees, buffets and desserts.

“We want businesses to be aware of this service as they’re planning meetings and events. Every time you order, you’re supporting the broader mission of providing nutrition for older adults,” Schuster said.

To learn more about catering options, click here.

Give your time

While financial support is critical, older adults don’t receive meals without the gift of time. As many as one dozen older adults are added to Meals on Wheels routes each week, and no one is put on a waitlist.

“If a volunteer isn’t available to bring hot meals, we put our new seniors on a frozen route, so they get five to seven frozen meals to warm up until we can get them on a hot route,” Schuster said.

“Given how there are fewer long-term care facilities, we’re seeing people staying in their homes longer and needing additional support to remain in their homes.”

The volunteer commitment is for about 90 minutes, delivering to 20 people, and Active Generations works with your schedule to determine a fit.

“You might want every fourth Tuesday, or sometimes a business might sign up for every Tuesday but rotate which employee volunteers, so there are options, but we could use more volunteers,” Schuster said.

To learn more about volunteering, click here.