First Interstate Bank Awarded Grant to Team Buche Cares

The funding supports philanthropic efforts across South Dakota community store locations.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Philanthropy

Isometric editorial illustration of a metal donation vessel on a wooden table set against stylized prairie plains. — First Interstate Bank awarded a $25,000 grant to Team Buche Cares to fund ongoing food insecurity and unemployment initiatives in South Dakota communities. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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First Interstate Bank has awarded a $25,000 grant to Team Buche Cares, the charitable arm of the G.F. Buche Company. The funds will bolster the organization’s ongoing initiatives to combat food insecurity and unemployment.

Why it matters

The grant provides critical capital for programs that directly support underserved areas, including communities near the six reservations where the company maintains store locations.

The G.F. Buche Company operates 26 grocery, convenience, and hardware store locations across the region. These sites serve areas where the food insecurity rate reaches 50%.

The players

First Interstate Bank

This regional banking institution provides financial services across the American West and invests in community development initiatives.

Team Buche Cares

This is the charitable organization operated by the G.F. Buche Company to manage philanthropic outreach and community support.

G.F. Buche Company

Founded in 1905, this family-owned business operates a network of grocery, convenience, and hardware stores in South Dakota.

The details

Team Buche Cares organizes three major annual fundraisers, including the Rooster Roundup, Steelers in the Field, and Chase the Pink Ace, to fund their operations. The company also utilizes its retail storefronts to sell water cases as a fundraising mechanism for local community projects.

The G.F. Buche Company was established in Lake Andes in 1905.
The Rooster Roundup fundraiser is scheduled for October 7-8.
Steelers in the Field takes place annually in March.
The G.F. Buche Company will reach its 121st anniversary in November 2026.

Market Landscape

This grant highlights the growing trend of regional retailers leveraging private partnerships to address systemic poverty in rural economies. By targeting food insecurity, the company differentiates itself from national chains while strengthening its local market presence.

Customers shopping at G.F. Buche locations will see continued support for local events, such as the upcoming pheasant hunt fundraiser. This funding helps maintain consistent store-level charitable programs that provide essential resources to residents in high-need areas.

The takeaway

Corporate philanthropy remains a vital lifeline for small-town economies struggling with high unemployment and food access. Local residents can participate in these efforts by attending scheduled fundraisers like the Rooster Roundup to support community growth.