Meet John, Food Outreach Board Member

John Schmieder joined Food Outreach’s Board of Directors in 2023 but has been volunteering with the organization since 1995, when he first moved to St. Louis for a job with May Department Stores. “I was new to the city, and I didn’t know many people. I heard volunteering was a great way to meet people, so I decided I wanted to volunteer for an LGBTQIA+ charity because I’m part of the gay community. There were only a few LGBTQIA+ charities in St. Louis at the time, so I chose Food Outreach. I volunteered at Saturday Cook and Packs, and that’s where I made a lot of my friends. I’m still friends with some of those people today.”

Originally from Denver, John received his MBA from the University of Michigan and worked as an accountant and investment banker before attending the New England School of Acupuncture and opening holistic health clinics in St. Louis. After 18 years, John sold his clinics. “I loved my years of operating these clinics. They were well known in the region for providing compassionate care on a sliding scale, making treatment more affordable for a broader range of people. Many of my clients drifted out the front door after treatment much more joyful and satisfied than when they arrived.”

After some busy years away from Food Outreach, a meeting with Executive Director Julie Lock brought him back to the organization as a board member. “Once I met Julie, I was excited to join the board. I love the passion of the organization, and I just love what Food Outreach does. I love that they value volunteers. Plus, I’m LGBTQIA+, so there’s a strong connection to the HIV community. Those were all big positives for me.”

Serving on the board gives John the opportunity to share Food Outreach’s mission and recruit new board members. “My favorite part of being on the Food Outreach board is working with the executive team and participating in subcommittee work. The smaller meetings are where the real work happens—you accomplish more, and it’s fun. I especially like working on the Governance Committee because I get to help recruit new board members. I always want to meet and interview prospective board members and introduce them to the organization.”

John is especially enthusiastic about Food Outreach’s annual fundraising event, A Tasteful Affair (ATA). He has attended the event since first getting involved with the organization. “I went to my first A Tasteful Affair in 1995. As a gay person back then, there were very few events for the LGBTQIA+ community, and this event was welcoming to us. It has remained an affordable and accessible event. Plus, I love the way it’s structured—I want to socialize, and I don’t want to remain seated. I just love A Tasteful Affair!”

For the past couple of years, John has made a matching donation to ATA’s Fund the Need campaign. He supports the matching fund because it helps inspire even more donations, contributing to the success of Food Outreach’s largest fundraiser.

John has experience serving on boards for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. He served on the board of Mesa Laboratories for eight years until he retired in 2023. Mesa was founded by his father in 1978 in the family garage and has since grown into a medical device company worth over $750 million. He currently sits on the board of NOVUS Health, a nonprofit organization that provides equitable primary and specialty healthcare to its patients.

In his free time, John can be found at his home in Hermann, MO. His Craftsman-style house, built in 1910, is well known in the Hermann community. “My house is famous for the fun and loving family that owned it for many years before I bought it. They filled it with the happiest vibes. All of my guests say they can feel the joy in the house, and I try to continue that good energy.”