This October (2022) Blue Max had the opportunity to volunteer at St. Louis’ Food Outreach.
Food Outreach’s mission is to provide nutritional support and enhance the quality of life of men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS or cancer. They are the only organization providing these services in the St. Louis region. Their clients live in 160 Missouri and Illinois zip codes and range in age from 18 to 89 years – many of whom live with multiple secondary illnesses in addition to their primary diagnosis. The goals of nutrition therapy are to accomplish the following: prevent or reverse nutrient deficiencies; preserve lean body mass; help patients better tolerate treatments; minimize nutrition related side effects and complications; maintain strength and energy; protect immune function, decreasing the risk of infection; aid in recovery and healing; and maximize quality of life.
Food Outreach’s comprehensive program includes their Made-From-Scratch Meals, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and Shelf-Stable Grocery Program designed by their on-staff Chef and Registered Dietitian, individualized dietetic counseling, nutrition and cooking education classes, a weekly congregate three-course meal, nutrition supplements, and meal home delivery to homebound clients. Their programs provide each client with two nutritious meals per day (28 meals/biweekly; 62 meals, monthly) throughout enrollment, combined with nutrition counseling and monitoring by our Registered Dietitian.
