Jan. 29, 2025
This paid piece is sponsored by Central Bank.
When the team at Central Bank underwent a recent office renovation, it resulted in a big win-win.
Faced with a surplus of desks, office chairs and racking/shelving as space was converted to support its growing Central Insure team, Central’s leadership knew right away they had a big donation to make.
“The team at Central Bank is mindful of waste, what can be donated rather than going in the landfill,” said Joe Gannon, Sioux Falls market president.
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore became the clear next stop for the office furnishings.
Located at 721 E. Amidon St., the ReStore was able to price the furniture at or below 50 percent of average retail price.
“That donation didn’t sit around long,” store manager Jeremiah Diaz said.
“Most of it was only here for a couple days, so it went quickly. We have a lot of repeat customers who see how this really is a treasure hunt every day. Some people come in two or three days a week to see what they can find.”
Office furniture is popular with shoppers, he added.
“We’ve seen a huge uptick in working remotely, so our customers are benefiting greatly from being able to secure desks, rolling office chairs and other things that can be expensive,” Diaz said. “We also occasionally see small-business owners in the store. The other day, we had a boutique owner in who was super-excited by the variety we had as she was looking to modify some fixtures in the store.”
The impact can be substantial for smaller businesses, said Rocky Welker, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls.
“We received a large donation from a business a couple years back and couldn’t figure out what our relationship was with them, so I reached out, and one of the owners shared that when he and his father started the business, they didn’t have any money for office furniture,” he said.
“They came into the ReStore and bought everything to get started, and then the business did amazing, so they wanted to give back to the organization that helped them get off the ground.”
Any business doing a renovation can talk to its contractor about donating sustainable items to the ReStore, Welker said.
“We will do free pickups, or if you’re already hauling to the landfill, it’s easy to stop at Habitat along the way,” he said.
One hundred percent of revenue from the ReStore directly contributes to bringing more affordable housing solutions to the Sioux Falls area.
“A significant portion of construction materials we purchase to build homes comes from ReStore revenue,” Welker said.
For Central Bank, the relationship with Habitat for Humanity is multifold.
Gannon, who served on Habitat’s board of directors for six years, routinely drops off personal donations. Central Bank’s chief credit officer, Ryan Van Duyn, has served on the organization’s finance committee for more than a decade.
“Affordable housing is one of Central Bank’s key initiatives, and Habitat For Humanity’s housing program is a wonderful investment in Sioux Falls and the future individuals and families that live in those homes,” Gannon said.
“We owe our success to those who make their homes and conduct their business in the communities we serve. That’s why giving back is a fundamental and meaningful practice at Central Bank.”
Employees also have volunteered their time like they do at many nonprofits, he continued.
“Central Bank has built a solid reputation for community service and support,” Gannon said. “When the opportunity to serve presents itself, we answer the call.”
The impact on Habitat for Humanity has been powerful, Welker agreed.
“Central Bank has been a great partner for more than a decade through volunteering, donations and holding volunteer leadership positions,” he said.
With its renovated space, Central Bank added two new offices and has welcomed five employees in recent weeks, including a commercial loan officer and a growing team supporting its employee benefits team.
“We’re excited to continue growing these areas of our business and gratified we were able to give back along the way,” Gannon said. “We encourage any business with excess office furnishings that still have useable life to reach out to the ReStore and learn more about how your donation can make a similar difference.”
To learn more about the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, click here.
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