Frequently Asked Questions About Food Outreach’s Program
- What are the program eligibility guidelines?
- To be eligible for services, an individual must have a diagnosis of either HIV and/or cancer AND be in active treatment AND have an income that is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. These guidelines are updated annually and can be viewed here.
- Please know, we require a referral from a healthcare professional (Physician, Nurse, Registered Dietitian, Social Worker, community health worker, etc.) to confirm the diagnosis of cancer or HIV.
- What are qualifying treatments?
- For HIV, clients must be taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) medication.
- For cancer, clients must be in active treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation, or have a scheduled upcoming surgery. Maintenance therapy such as ongoing CT scans, nutrient repletion therapy, or biannual follow-up appointments do not qualify.
- I’m a healthcare professional. How do I place a referral for someone in need?
- Please submit an electronic referral using this link. A team member will reach out to the client within 5 business days to discuss enrollment.
- I’m a potential client. How do I get started?
- Please ask a member of your care team to submit a referral to us. Instructions are listed above. Once we receive a referral confirming your diagnosis, a Food Outreach team member will reach out to you within 5 business days to discuss enrollment. You are required to meet with a Registered Dietitian, either in-person or by phone, to enroll into the program and participate in individualized nutrition counseling.
- What do I need to bring with me when visiting Food Outreach?
- Please bring a photo ID with you for grocery pickup. Beyond that, you may bring in your own grocery bags to help us minimize our plastic usage. As a thank you, you may enter our monthly raffle where you have a chance to win a $25 grocery store gift card.
- What services do you provide?
- We offer groceries and Medically Tailored Meals. Grocery items include fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen meat, and pantry staples such as canned fruits and vegetables, oats, beans, rice and pasta. Our Medically Tailored Meals are cooked onsite and then frozen for your convenience. Our meals are microwaveable. In addition to food assistance, we have Registered Dietitians on staff who provide Nutrition Education and Nutrition Counseling. Clients are encouraged to meet with a Dietitian when experiencing any food-related concern such as poor appetite, treatment-side effects, or challenges with meeting nutritional needs. All services are free of charge.
- Who do you serve?
- Food Outreach serves clients who reside in 150 Missouri and Illinois zip codes. Our eligibility criteria are not limited to a specific geographical area. However, the most common counties we serve are St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, St. Clair County, and Madison County (IL).
- Does Food Outreach provide food for the entire family of the client with cancer or HIV?
- No. Food Outreach only provides food to the diagnosed individual. On average, Food Outreach provides up to 2 meals/day to the client.
- How long will a client with HIV and cancer receive services from Food Outreach?
- Clients with HIV, who continue to meet the income requirements, are eligible for services for their lifetime.
- Clients with cancer are eligible for 12 months of service. After the first 12-month period, clients will be contacted by a Registered Dietitian for recertification where treatment will be reassessed. Once a client has completed their active cancer treatment, they will graduate from the program.
- How do clients order their food?
- Most of our clients pick up their food orders at our midtown facility. Clients may approve of friends, family, caregivers, or case managers to pick up their food orders on their behalf. Upon arrival, the person who is picking up will check in at our front desk and receive a menu of our current offerings. After selections are made, our volunteers will gather the items for you. Once that is completed, you will be called to the counter to bag up your items in the way you prefer. We encourage you to bring your own grocery bags, however, we do provide plastic bags and cardboard boxes. We have carts and volunteers who may assist you with bagging and transporting your food items.
- How often can I receive groceries and Medically Tailored Meals?
- Clients may order prepared meals and/or groceries on a monthly or biweekly basis. The frequency is determined during the client’s intake appointment with a Registered Dietitian. Clients are provided with an average of 2 meals per day.
- Can I fill out a menu online ahead of time?
- No. Our menu updates daily and the organization does not have the capacity to support this.
- Can clients have food orders delivered to their home?
- Yes. To be eligible for home delivered meals and groceries, individuals must live within 35 miles of our midtown location and meet eligibility requirements which include: inability to drive/commute due to illness or treatment, lack of transportation, and/or not having someone who could pick up food on their behalf.
- Please know currently, our organization is unable to provide client choice for those receiving home delivery. A preselected menu will be provided once a month for those qualifying for home delivered meals and groceries. For more information on home delivery, please contact our Client Services Manager, Luke Gallagher at 314-710-5542.
- What makes Food Outreach different from other food agencies in the St. Louis area?
- Food Outreach focuses on nutritious foods to help our clients maintain their strength and optimize their medical treatments. Our Registered Dietitians and Chefs are critical to the mission of our organization as they plan and prepare all our Medically Tailored Meals. Clients who come in for food pick up can select prepared frozen meals and groceries from a changing menu, allowing them the dignity of choice as well as accommodating food preferences, particularly important to cancer patients whose tastes frequently change because of treatment. Food Outreach clients can also access our Registered Dietitians for individual nutrition counseling.
- I am not a client with Food Outreach; can I still work with one of the Registered Dietitians or pay to receive the meals?
- No, you must be a client of Food Outreach to receive dietetic and nutrition services. We do not sell our Medically Tailored Meals or food.
- Does Food Outreach provide nutritional supplements or vitamins?
- Food Outreach does NOT provide multivitamins. Ensure is distributed to clients based on the nutrition assessment conducted by one of the Registered Dietitians at intake.
- How do I volunteer?
- Thank you for your interest in supporting our mission! For more information on volunteering, please contact Ellie Martin at 314-710-5529.
- I still have more questions. Who should I contact?
- For referrals or to schedule an intake with a Registered Dietitian, please contact Rusoun Belle at 314-710-5543.
- To speak with a Dietitian, please call 314-710-5545 for Rachel Kleinman and 314-710-5530 for Taylor Aarns.
- For home delivery inquiries or questions, please contact Luke Gallagher at 314-710-5542.
- For program questions or concerns, please contact Brittany Rudy at 314-710-5533.