About Us
Organization History
Hope’s Kitchen was created to support individuals and families in the Lead–Deadwood area who have any kind of need. Whether you are experiencing food insecurity, need to stretch your budget, if you want to meet new people and dine with community, or if you have any number of other circumstances that bring you to our doors, Hope’s Kitchen is for YOU!
Founder Wendy Pitlick was inspired to start Hope’s Kitchen in October 2025 after many community members lost access to food assistance benefits and faced growing uncertainty about how they would meet basic needs. Research and conversations with school officials, civic leaders, food pantry officials, and church leaders show that there is a significant need in our Lead-Deadwood area for food support among all ages, and statistics show a large number of individuals and families who fall at or below poverty levels.
Educators in our area share that an alarming number of students in our school district rely on school meals as their primary source of hot food each day. Because of this, Hope’s Kitchen serves meals on Saturdays to help bridge the gap between school meals during the week. We also offer to-go meals so guests can have food for Sunday as well.
501(c)(3) Information
Hope’s Kitchen is a registered nonprofit organization recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity.
IRS EIN: 41-4511406
As a 501(c)(3) organization, donations to Hope’s Kitchen are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Community Partnerships
Hope’s Kitchen operates as a mission supported by Trinity United Methodist Church. While Hope’s Kitchen functions as an independent nonprofit program, Trinity United Methodist Church generously provides access to the commercial kitchen and dining space at the Christian Ministry Center, along with insurance and administrative support.
The Christian Ministry Center is a community gathering space in Lead–Deadwood and is not used as an active church worship space.
Hope’s Kitchen is guided by a board of directors made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds, faiths, and perspectives, united by a shared commitment to serving the community through free meals.
How We’ve Grown
Since our first meal service in May 2026, Hope’s Kitchen has continued to grow and evolve in response to community needs
We welcome anyone in the Lead–Deadwood area who could benefit from a meal or a place of community. Need can take many forms and is not always financial.
Whether someone is experiencing food insecurity, stretching their budget between paychecks, seeking community and connection, a tired parent after a long workday, a senior who prefers shared meals, or a student or young person needing support, Hope’s Kitchen is here to provide a welcoming place and a warm meal.
Everyone is welcome.
Board Members
Wendy Pitlick
President
Wendy Pitlick is the founder of Hope’s Kitchen. She and her husband, Jonathan, settled in Lead about 20 years ago when they started a family. Wendy is a journalist, with a bachelor’s of arts degree from Black Hills State University. She has worked for the Black Hills Pioneer newspaper for 25 years, and she specializes in reporting about the city of Lead and the Sanford Underground Research Facility. She is a faithful member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lead, where she is actively involved in music ministry. Wendy finds joy in spending time with her husband of 25 years, hanging out with her two daughters, cooking for others, and in prayer. As an Army brat, Wendy has lived all over the country and she has frequently proclaimed that the best people live right here in Lead, S.D.! She stands by that declaration, as she dearly loves the people in this town and the many friends she has made in this area.
Leila Kietzman
Vice President
Leila Kietzman grew up in Lead, SD. She attended college in Minnesota and earned a BA in management and a MA in human resources. Leila spent much of her career as a food and beverage manager for different concepts. She recently returned to her hometown and is currently the director of the Boys and Girls Club in Lead.
Sue Holloway
Volunteer Coordinator
Sue moved to Lead-Deadwood in 1992. Within a month, she was working with the quilting ladies at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and helped them with their "Meals on Wheels". Now the quilts are lap blankets for in-patients and doing their Meals has expanded to 5 organizations. With the help from the former "Hope Center", "Clothe-A-Kid" was started in Lead-Deadwood in the early 2000's to help families outfit their students for each school season. It is still in operation. About 10 years ago, Sue began working with "Adopt-A-Platoon" by monthly assembling 80 cards with letters that will be included in their care packages to the military that are currently deployed. With the help of community ladies, that amount has increased to 500 a month and up to 3000 holiday cards. With Hope's Kitchen, Sue coordinates the volunteers besides being on the Board.
James (Jim) Wolff
Treasurer
I was born and raised in western South Dakota. I am the son of a ranching family and graduated from Rapid City Central High School and the University of South Dakota. My career spanned public accounting, corporate controller, and manufacturing general manager positions. I retired in 2014 as Director of Internal Audit and Compliance for a New York Stock Exchange-listed natural gas pipeline and processing company.
On retiring, my wife, Cheryl, and I moved to our new cabin near Rochford, 15 miles south of Lead. We became active at Trinity United Methodist Church, meeting many residents and becoming aware of the economics of the Lead-Deadwood and greater Black Hills region. Foremost among our lessons learned was the chronic nutrition deficiency of school children as shown by the high percentage of students needing subsidized school meals.
When Wendy Pitlick approached Trinity UMC to help her in providing free meals for the broader community, I at once saw the opportunity to support her efforts to feed the hungry in our community. Trinity UMC Trustees supported this effort and moved Trinity into a partnership with Hope’s Kitchen.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community through this wonderful mission.
In addition to volunteering with Hope’s Kitchen, I serve as Assistant Chief and Treasurer of the Rochford Volunteer Fire Department, Director on the board of the Rochford Fire Protection District, and a Trustee and Treasurer for Lead Trinity United Methodist Church.
Mariana Pitlick
Secretary
Mariana Pitlick is an optimistic student and ecstatic artist, born and raised in Lead, SD. She loves her family, life, and community, especially the arts! Whether through canvas or on the stage, Mariana enjoys connecting with people and learning about their experiences.
Jonathan Pitlick
Member
Jonathan Pitlick was born and raised in Pierre, S.D., and moved to Lead because Wendy refused to leave the Black Hills! He is a burner tech for Rasmussen Mechanical Services, as well as an independent journeyman plumber. Jonathan plays the piano and guitar in the choir at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, where he is a faithful member. He finds joy in spending time with his family and playing music with his daughters.