From left, Rotarian Barry Sackett moderates a panel on food insecurity with Feeding South Dakota Executive Director Lori Dykstra, Church on the Street Deacon Mara Stillson and Avera Health dietitian Stasia Elsinger on Oct. 27, 2025, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
Nearly 75,000 South Dakotans — roughly one in 12 residents — will lose food assistance benefits if the federal government shutdown persists into next week, state officials acknowledged Monday.
The state has no plan to cover benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if Congress doesn’t act before the program’s funding runs out. The program provides qualifying low-income people — who must meet work requirements, unless they qualify for an exemption — with a preloaded card they can use to help cover grocery purchases…