USF community volunteering throughout Sioux Falls

Faithful to USF’s mission of serving God and humankind in the world, the University has a long-standing tradition of encouraging students to integrate service into their everyday lives. To exemplify this spirit of service, USF devotes one day during the academic year—dubbed ‘Culture for Service Day’—to serving in the community. 

“Culture for Service is important in the USF community as it allows us to share the Lord’s message through acts of service,” said Toby Knutson, a sophomore Visual and Performing Artsmajor and orientation leader. “It gives us a chance to show those in the Sioux Falls community that they are not alone, and through God’s kindness and glory, we have the opportunity to demonstrate support and kindness. Being the humble hands and feet of Christ is the greatest gift that we can share.”

Today, nearly 500 faculty, staff and students will serve the Sioux Falls community in partnership with over 21 local organizations including: 

• Berakhah House

• Camp Leif Ericson

• Central Church Downtown

• Central Church Preschool & Kindergarten

• Connection Church

• EmBe

• Feeding South Dakota

• First Baptist Church Sioux Falls

• Good Earth State Park

• Good News Church

• Great Plains Zoo

• GreaterGoods

• Habitat for Humanity

• Liberty Elementary School

• Outdoor Campus

• Robert Frost Elementary School

• Sanford International

• Southern Hills United Methodist Church

• St. Francis House

• Tre Ministries

• Washington Pavilion

“Service is an important piece of who we are and what we do at USF, and Culture for Service Day fits perfectly with our mission and defines who we are as an institution,” said Andrew Porteous, director of student life and housing. “It’s not only our opportunity to give back to a community that supports us so significantly, but we also hope it inspires our students to understand and emulate servant leadership now and beyond their time at USF.”