Foster605 Hosts Birthday Parties for Local Children
The Sioux Falls nonprofit provides children in foster care with gifts, supplies, and cakes.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Founded in 2024, the Sioux Falls-based nonprofit Foster605 has hosted more than 100 birthday parties for children in foster care since spring 2026. The organization provides party supplies, gifts, and dessert to support youth within the foster care system.
Why it matters
Founders Pete and Jenn Eekhoff launched the initiative after identifying gaps in support services for the local foster care community. The program leverages a network of volunteer bakers to ensure children in care receive celebrations for their birthdays.
Foster605 has organized over 100 birthday parties since starting the program in spring 2026. The project coordinates with the South Dakota Bakers Association, which includes 1,000 members across the state to provide cakes and cookies.
The players
Foster605
A Sioux Falls-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing birthday celebrations for children in the foster care system.
Pete and Jenn Eekhoff
The founders of Foster605 who have personally fostered 30 children and adopted five of them over their 15 years of involvement in foster care.
South Dakota Bakers Association
A statewide trade organization representing 1,000 professional and volunteer bakers who support community initiatives.
The details
The nonprofit supplies children with essential party items and gifts to mark their birthdays. Volunteer bakers belonging to the South Dakota Bakers Association contribute baked goods for these events, addressing needs identified by the founders.
Timeline
Foster605 began operations in 2024.
The nonprofit started hosting birthday parties in spring 2026.
South Dakota reported 1,700 children in foster care during 2025.
Market Landscape
The Foster605 birthday program serves as a community-led response to the 2025 South Dakota foster care caseload of 1,700 children. This initiative represents a niche philanthropic effort to bridge support gaps in a system that often struggles with high service volumes.
The program provides a direct service to families and foster children by removing the logistical and financial burden of hosting birthday parties. Local residents and bakers can participate in the initiative by volunteering their skills and resources to support these children.
The takeaway
Communities can fill critical gaps in public foster services through focused volunteer networks like those established by the Eekhoffs. Individuals looking to help can contact local nonprofits to see how their specific professional or creative skills might support children in need.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts in our Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KELO-LAND TV.
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