Holst takes a photo while on a hunting trip south of Beatrice, Nebraska. Photo courtesy of Dillon Holst
From doing maintenance and landscaping for a California nursery to working for Omaha’s Centering Corporation, Omaha LoCo Delivery driver Dillon Holst has had a variety of experiences with local businesses.
An Omaha native, Holst received an associate degree in horticulture from Metropolitan Community College (MCC). Following stints in Colorado and California, he moved back to Omaha in 2014. At that time, he decided to return to MCC to pursue his passion for photography, film and digital media.
After graduating with a certificate in digital cinema, Holst edited photos for a production company before accepting a position with Centering Corporation, a local nonprofit that provides education and grief resources. As he’s had many experiences with grief, Holst says he enjoyed working for the nonprofit and helping people navigate a taboo subject.
“It’s not a thing that people really talk about,” he says. “Nobody gives you a guide on how to deal with grief.”
Like many Omahans, Holst says COVID-19 had a significant impact on him. At the beginning of the pandemic, he lost his job when Centering Corporation, a small nonprofit, couldn’t keep him on. To survive unemployment, Holst sold items online, such as sneakers, clothes and skateboards he collected.
During this time, Omaha LoCo dispatcher Ben Smits introduced Holst to LoCo. He started making deliveries in February, with his first shift occurring on the coldest day of the year. Despite the snow and negative temperatures, Holst says he liked working for LoCo immediately.
He says his first experience as a delivery driver has been positive.
“I like it a lot,” Holst says. “It’s good money and I like that we’re helping out local restaurants.”
Photo courtesy of Dillon Holst
As COVID-19 has hurt many local businesses, Holst says he likes working for a service that champions independent restaurants. He also enjoys talking to restaurant employees and learning about their experiences with Omaha LoCo.
“From what I’ve heard from people, we are the best ones out of all the delivery options out here,” Holst says. “We’re consistent and on time with good communication. I think we’re doing a pretty good job.”
Holst says he would recommend driving for LoCo due to its focus on supporting small businesses, a topic he feels strongly about.
“I think especially after this past year, people want to be supporting local,” he says. “I feel like LoCo is doing a good job of supporting local businesses.”
Featured image courtesy of Dillon Holst