A conversation about The Casnocha and Jones Dietetic and Nutrition Services Fund

Keith Jones and Susan Casnocha have supported Food Outreach since 2022. Susan and Keith began volunteering at Food Outreach after Susan heard Food Outreach’s Executive Director, Julie Lock, speak on St. Louis Public Radio about the agency’s work.

Keith and Susan were immediately impressed with how Food Outreach was not a traditional food pantry, but instead an intervention providing critical dietetic services alongside nutrition education. “I really liked the Food is Medicine concept. It’s something that I’ve always believed in for myself and my family. As a cancer survivor, I have been trying to pay close attention to eating properly. The whole concept of food as medicine really resonated with me,” Susan commented.

Their volunteer work also enabled them to see the impact the organization was having on community members struggling with food insecurity and a chronic illness. “Volunteering and interacting with the clients, particularly in the pantry area, really reinforces that there are people who truly appreciate the services that Food Outreach provides. It’s clear that the work is making a positive impact. I was working one day when a gentleman showed up for the first time. He was exuberant and so happy to have found and connected with Food Outreach. It’s nice to know that this happens regularly,” Susan said.

“It’s almost like a double feel-good moment. First, you’re there working, and you see the appreciation from clients. Then, you also know that your financial contributions are helping. So, you get two feel-good moments for the price of one,” adds Keith.

As Keith and Susan experienced our mission through volunteerism, they continued to feel inspired by an area of our work that remained so unique to them: Dietetics. As Susan said, “The real backbone of the whole program is the dietitians and how they design the meals for the clients. Professional development of the dietitians not only benefits their career growth but also benefits the organization and the clients.”

In 2023, Keith and Susan announced a major gift to the agency to form The Casnocha and Jones Dietetic and Nutrition Services Fund. This unique fund now supports Food Outreach’s registered dietitians in a variety of ways including the ability to attend national dietetics conferences alongside their peers. Food Outreach has also been able to purchase updated dietetics equipment to assist our registered dietitians in treating our clients through Medical Nutrition Therapy.

The Fund has already made a difference to Food Outreach’s registered dietitians, Rachel Kleinman and Taylor Aarns, and to the clients they serve. “Food Outreach clients, who often don’t have access to nutrition education otherwise, are benefiting greatly from access to cutting edge, evidence-based practices. I cherish the opportunity to immerse myself in the latest science while being surrounded by other professionals just like me. The strategies I learned at the ADCES and FNCE conferences last year have already become an important part of my day-to-day work, I can’t wait to see what I’ll pick up this year!” comments Rachel.

Taylor adds, “There’s nothing like being surrounded by hundreds of dietitians who, like me, are working to strengthen their skills and expand their practice and knowledge base to connect deeper with the people we serve every day. I leave with pages of notes, lists of to-dos and a full heart knowing that I am a part of something much bigger than myself.”

For Susan, the possibility of a future endowment to ensure the longevity of the The Casnocha and Jones Dietetic and Nutrition Services Fund is a way for the organization to look forward, “The endowment is something for the future, and there may be other opportunities within the organization that could also use help. But the main thing is to do something that is close to your heart, something that affects you personally and will do some good.”

You can also support our dietetics program and team members by making a gift designated for The Casnocha and Jones Dietetic and Nutrition Services Fund.