PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – Two South Dakota companies have paid off all lunch debt in the Pierre School District. Karber Construction and American Trust Insurance have eliminated a negative balance of about $2,300 in students’ meal accounts. Mandy Karber says that as a small business, they were simply looking for a way to give back. She says it’s typical of the Pierre community where there are a lot of people willing to help out.

American Trust Insurance says it raised about $1,000 with an employee giving campaign. District business manager Darla Mayer says school officials are grateful for the generous individuals and businesses.