Janet Eining borrowed a childhood lesson to explain why she’s giving out free meals to her fellow South Dakotans who are going without work because of the federal government shutdown.

“My mom used to say, Janet, it’s better to give than receive,” said Eining, who co-owns the Original Pancake House and has vowed to provide free breakfast food to those affected by the shutdown.

Thousands of people in South Dakota are without work due to the shutdown, and some businesses in Sioux Falls are trying to help. Embracing the community spirit, a few local and national groups with a foothold in the city have started reaching out to federal employees to provide relief.

Here are some of the offers available to those living in the Sioux Falls area:

FREE MEAL, THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE

The deal applies to eggs, pancakes and hash browns and is available to federal employees and contractors who show their federal I.D.

She is always looking for a way to give back to the community through her restaurant, Eining said.

“I know it’s not going to pay their bills, but it will certainly help them eat,” she said. “If everybody in the community joins in and does something like that, hopefully it will be an easier time for them.

The Original Pancake House is located at 2713 W. 41st St.

Her restaurant will continue to offer the deal through the shutdown, Eining said.

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FREE MEAL, SHAHI PALACE

Workers affected by the shutdown are eligible for a free lunch at this southwestern Sioux Falls eatery, located at 2527 S. Shirley Ave.

Happy Singh, who co-owns Shahi Palace with his brother, said the decision to offer a free meal came naturally as a way to help.

They opened their Indian restaurant about eight years ago in Sioux Falls, and have since expanded to locations in Sioux City, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska.

“It’s just what we can do,” Singh said.

The deal lasts through the shutdown.

FREE LOANS, FIRST DAKOTA NATIONAL BANK

The bank has designated a $5 million pool for free loans for federal employees. First Dakota’s Federal Employee Shutdown Relief Loan Program allows furloughed workers to apply for a loan of up to three months of their net income.

The loans are free of fees and interest rates.

When they learned about the shutdown, First Dakota leadership got together and talked about how it would affect the Sioux Falls community.

First Dakota is a community bank and invested in the Sioux Falls community, said Rob Stephenson, bank president and chief operating officer.

“Banks are stronger when communities are stronger,” Stephenson said. “We’re trying to help our community.”

First Dakota has several locations in the Sioux Falls area, including its downtown offices at 101 N. Main Ave.

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FREE PET FOOD, SIOUX FALLS AREA HUMANE SOCIETY

The Humane Society is advertising its pet food bank during the shutdown, as a potential way for out-of-work federal employees to save money.

The shelter provides the pet food bank as a public service, taking unwanted or donated bags of cat and dog food and then offering them to people who need help.

The service is available to pet owners once a month, as long as they bring a photo I.D. Those who are interested should inquire at the front desk of the Humane Society’s eastern Sioux Falls shelter at 3720 E. Benson Rd.

LOW-RATE LOANS, US BANK

US Bank is advertising “low-rate, quick” loans for federal employees affected by the shutdown. The bank has posted an informational link on its website, www.usbank.com, and is encouraging government workers to call 877-760-6046 to learn more.