“My passion to help people is what led me to non-profit leadership,” said Lori Dykstra, CEO of Feeding South Dakota.
After graduating from the University of South Dakota, Dykstra spent time developing strong leadership skills to serve her community.
Feeding South Dakota began in 1975 as a community food bank, merging in 2004 with Black Hills Regional Food Bank to become what it is today.
With a mission to end hunger in South Dakota, the group envisions a state where no one’s health, well-being, or potential is hindered by the availability of nutritious food.
This year, Feeding South Dakota is acknowledging its 50th anniversary.
“It’s an honor to be leading the organization during this milestone and acknowledging the dedication of communities, supporters, volunteers, team and board members who brought us to the impact we’re making today,” said Dykstra.
Read more about the CEO, what she does in her free time, and upcoming goals for the organization.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
Working for a mission-driven organization. Every member of the team is passionate about this mission, so I know we are always keeping our neighbors facing hunger at the heart of our work. It’s our team’s passion that has made our impact over the last 50 years possible and will propel our mission forward. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by the energy that a passionate organization provides.
WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT FEEDING SOUTH DAKOTA?
We are the state’s largest hunger-relief organization. Through our programs and network of community partners, last year we provided 11.7 million meals to communities across all 66 counties in South Dakota. Not only are we well-versed in sourcing, storing, and distributing food; we also have to understand the nuances of the different communities in our state, be good at fleet management and routing, and stay in-the-know on the weather forecast.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
My two high schoolers keep my “free” time filled with activities like marching band, basketball, and 4-H. When I catch a moment for myself, I like to get out and listen to live music with friends, travel for hiking and skiing, and right now I’m giving golf lessons a try!
WHAT’S PLANNED FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR?
On January 3 we launched a 50 Faces of Feeding South Dakota podcast. Each weekly episode features a conversation with someone who is part of our mission to end hunger in South Dakota and dives into the many intricacies of our work. Also in January, we launched 605 Meal Makers—a group of individuals who have committed to supporting our mission through a monthly gift. We’ll be hosting a variety of events, including a legislative luncheon during the 2025 session in Pierre, and Hunger Action Month events in September.
WHAT’S ONE INITIATIVE YOU HAVE WITH THE ORGANIZATION?
We want to ensure equitable access to nutritious food for all South Dakotans. Over the next five years we’re going to focus on working closely with our partners who know the needs in their communities, to understand how best to serve them and build community-led solutions.
For more information, visit FEEDINGSOUTHDAKOTA.ORG+
