50 Faces of Feeding South Dakota

Ep. 31 More Than a Store: Serving with Heart and Purpose

RF Buche, a fourth-generation grocer reflects on the power of partnerships with tribal communities, especially the transformative experience of helping serve meals to children during the summer months when school meals disappear and need increases. From federal policy solutions to cultural understanding, RF brings both passion and perspective to the conversation about feeding remote communities with dignity and care.

Ep. 30 Built on Trust: How Community Grows in Wanblee

Mary Grimes-Epps shares how a mission trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation transformed her life—and the lives of many others. What started as a visit became a calling, leading Mary and her husband Bob to relocate and build Families Working Together, a trusted community hub in Wamblee. In this episode, she reflects on how showing up and building trust created a space where neighbors can find support, dignity, and connection.

Ep. 29 Prepared to Nourish: Building Resilience on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Reservation

Lexie Fincher, Vice Chair of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate tribe shares how food access becomes even more critical during times of crisis—and what it takes to be ready. With support from Feeding America’s Natives Prepared Project, the tribe has begun assessing local needs and developing a plan to strengthen food systems and emergency response. This episode highlights how planning today helps ensure no one goes hungry tomorrow, even when disaster strikes.

Ep. 28 Bridging the Gap: Food Access and Solutions on Native Lands

Irona Howe of the Cheyenne River Reservation joins us to talk about the challenges Native communities face in accessing nutritious, consistent food. She shares how local programs—and a growing movement toward food sovereignty—are creating community-led solutions rooted in culture, resilience, and self-determination. This conversation highlights both the barriers and the hope that come with building stronger, more sustainable food systems on Native lands.

Ep. 27 Reaching Every Table

In this episode, Lori Dykstra joins us again to share why ensuring access to food matters for every neighbor—no matter where they live. From rural towns to Native American reservations, Lori discusses the unique challenges that make access harder in some areas and the partnerships that help bridge those gaps. It's a candid conversation about listening, showing up, and making sure no one is left out of the fight against hunger.

Fighting Childhood Hunger: The Vucurevich Legacy in Action

This episode shines a light on the John T. Vucurevich Foundation and its deep-rooted commitment to ending childhood hunger in the Black Hills. Inspired by John’s own experiences as a hungry child, the Foundation has helped grow programs like mobile food distributions and the BackPack Program. Hear how their ongoing support continues to nourish young lives and strengthen families across the region.

Ep. 25 From Wheels to Welcome

This week's conversation explores the transition of our Madison mobile food distribution to the Lake County Food Pantry providing easier, more consistent access to food. It also opens the door to additional support services through our partnership with ICAP, helping individuals and families find stability beyond the pantry shelves.

Ep. 24 Fueled by Passion, Driven to Serve

In this episode, the Coopers join us to share how a community food distribution in Beresford began - and grew - bringing to light just how much food insecurity exists in their backyard. What the Coopers didn't expect was for the program to abruptly end. This conversation displays the grit and passion that volunteers and communities have to ensure that nobody goes hungry.

Ep. 24 Fueled by Passion, Driven to Serve

In this episode, the Coopers join us to share how a community food distribution in Beresford began - and grew - bringing to light just how much food insecurity exists in their backyard. What the Coopers didn't expect was for the program to abruptly end. This conversation displays the grit and passion that volunteers and communities have to ensure that nobody goes hungry.

Ep. 24: Fueled by Passion, Driven to Serve

In this episode, the Coopers join us to share how a community food distribution in Beresford began - and grew - bringing to light just how much food insecurity exists in their backyard. What the Coopers didn't expect was for the program to abruptly end. This conversation displays the grit and passion that volunteers and communities have to ensure that nobody goes hungry.