News Archives - Moveable Feast - Baltimore, MD

We <3 Our Volunteers

mfeast — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 14:33:54 +0000

Pictured (from left to right): Robin Graham, Mark Heesen, Willie Johnson (staff), Roger Frye, and Debbie Michell (below)

In recognition of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we asked some of our most dedicated volunteers to share their stories.

The week of April 20-26^th is National Volunteer Appreciation Week. At Moveable Feast, we enjoy taking this time to thank our volunteers for their time, talent, and dedication. In 2024, over 1,500 volunteers donated 14,567 hours of their time to make meals in our kitchen, deliver meals to clients, and support our events. Four volunteers; Debbie, Mark, Roger, and Robin, have given over 1,000 hours.

Debbie Michell – volunteer since 2008

What initially connected you to Moveable Feast?

I am a member of Fierce Chicks Rock bike team. I first participated in Ride for the Feast in 2008. I rode for 10 consecutive years, then drove Safety-and-Gear for a year, and have done the shorter routes in the 1-day ride more recently.

I had retired before the COVID-19 pandemic, and in May 2020 I reached out to Jessica Kohnen, the then interim director of Moveable Feast and a member of Fierce Chicks Rock, to ask if I could help. I was an Infectious Disease nurse that specialized in HIV, so she trusted that I could keep myself and our clients safe.

I have since delivered meals 3 times a week.

What is it about Moveable Feast that has kept you engaged for so long?

I missed patient connections when I retired. This fulfills my need to care for and serve others. And I enjoy the weekly one-on-one chats and sharing. I know the clients appreciate the reliability of your drivers and connecting with a familiar face every week. And I love the family of drivers!! I know them like family, and we look out for each other.

Mark Heesen – volunteer since 2017

What initially connected you to Moveable Feast?

Local friends told me they volunteered and enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment and the professionalism of the organization.

What is it about Moveable Feast that has kept you engaged for so long?

The kitchen staff have always been truly committed, friendly, and easygoing. I have met some wonderful volunteers that I consider to be friends over the years. The mission of the organization remains highly important to the region and to me.

What would you say to someone considering getting involved with an organization like Moveable Feast? Whether they’re volunteering in the kitchen, on the road, or at one of our special events?

The annual bike event is a great time for bikers and volunteers. A few hours a week can go a long way toward helping those in need. The staff continues to be appreciative of all the work volunteers do be it in the kitchen, on the road or on a bike.

Roger Frye – volunteer since 2016

What initially connected you to Moveable Feast?

My son-in-law volunteered for “Ride for the Feast” through his employer. He had a good experience and still participates in the Ride and other activities. It sounded like a good cause and was a well-run organization. I wasn’t interested in a long bike ride, so I looked into working in the kitchen.

What is it about Moveable Feast that has kept you engaged for so long?

Three factors:

1. Everything I know about the organization is positive. The cause is worthwhile, and the organization seems to be very well run.

2. The volunteer’s time is well used. In other places I’ve volunteered they don’t seem to know what to do with the volunteers and there’s too much idle time, or worse, tasks are invented to keep the volunteers busy.

3. The tasks are well defined and easy to master. It is easy for even a first timer to make a positive contribution and feel that their time has been well spent.

What would you say to someone considering getting involved with an organization like Moveable Feast? Whether they’re volunteering in the kitchen, on the road, or at one of our special events?

I would stress item b. above: doing worthwhile work in a place that’s well organized and efficiently run. I always leave after a shift feeling that I’ve done a good thing and that my efforts were appreciated.

Robin Graham – volunteer since 2018

What initially connected you to Moveable Feast?

Formerly I had volunteered at other organizations but had heard for years of Moveable Feast, and when I fully retired, I came down to see what it was all about, and the rest is history.

What is it about Moveable Feast that has kept you engaged for so long?

For one, a mantra at Moveable Feast: Food is Medicine. Additionally, the other volunteers and the kitchen staff have made it a good fit. I wanted the routine of regularly volunteering and it has given me a sense of serving others.

What would you say to someone considering getting involved with an organization like Moveable Feast? Whether they’re volunteering in the kitchen, on the road, or at one of our special events?

The need is great, and the mission of Moveable Feast is of great benefit in the communities it serves. It is a win-win opportunity to serve and help others that need assistance.

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Meet the Moveable Feast Dietitians

mfeast — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:38:05 +0000

Get to know the Moveable Feast Dietitians

(Pictured left to right: Sara DeJarnett, MS, RDN, LDN, Brandy Lewis, RDN, LDN, and Candace Cooper, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES)

In honor of National Nutrition Month, we sat down with our three fantastic Registered Dietician Nutritionists (RDNs), Candace, Brandy, and Sara, to share more about their work at Moveable Feast. Whether they are working one-on-one with clients in Medical Nutrition Therapy sessions or developing Medically Tailored Meals with our chefs to expand menu options, our RDNs play a pivotal role in carrying out our mission.

Why did you choose to work for Moveable Feast?

Candace: I learned about Moveable Feast when moving to Baltimore for a dietitian role at Johns Hopkins, I was very excited about this organization and referred some of my patients to Moveable Feast. What I love about being a dietitian at Moveable Feast is that nutrition, education, and food access goes hand in hand. If someone is not able to procure or prepare food, then providing nutrition education is not as impactful. Here at Moveable Feast, we are able to address the root causes of food access while addressing individual nutrition needs.

Brandy: I chose Moveable Feast because I knew early on as a dietitian that my heart belonged to serving the community. By working here, I get to spend time getting to know my clients, setting goals, and offering encouragement throughout their personal health journeys. As a bonus, I’m working with our talented chefs to help update and expand our menu. At Moveable Feast, I get to combine both of my passions into one career!

Sara: Like Moveable Feast, I value prevention in the community setting. A lot of the time healthcare is focused on treatment instead of prevention. Providing healthy meals to individuals in need, as well as Medical Nutrition Therapy can help people get ahead of their conditions and increase their quality of life.

What has been the most rewarding part of your job so far?

Candace: Working with others! Collaborating with my team to provide the best care for our clients.

Brandy: Since I’ve been a dietitian here for almost 3 years now, I’ve had some clients that have been with me since I’ve started. It’s been extremely rewarding to see their progress and remind them of how far they’ve come with accomplishing their goals when they feel discouraged.

Sara: The people. Clients are so grateful for the services we provide and getting to see, firsthand, that we are increasing individuals’ access to healthy food is very rewarding. Additionally, the people I get to work with. Everyone at this organization truly cares about the work they do and the people they serve.

What is your favorite Moveable Feast meal?

Candace: I have not had a chance to try all the meals so this may change, but I would say the Turkey Chili is fantastic!

Brandy: The Potato Crusted Whiting with Florentine Sauce, Quinoa, and Peas!

Sarah: I am new to the organization, so I have not been able to try them all yet, but my favorite so far is the Chicken, Bean and Cheese Burrito!

What is a common nutrition myth you hear?

Candace: Honey is better than sugar. Many people switch from sugar to honey and think that it will be better for their blood sugar, but honey and white sugar have very similar amounts of sugar. 1 tsp honey has approximately 6g of sugar, 1 tsp white sugar has approximately 4g of sugar. What is important is to not overconsume honey or sugar especially if a person has diabetes. If you like honey or sugar in your tea, try to limit to 1 tsp.

Brandy: People seem to think that once you have diabetes, you can’t have fruit or pasta, which is false! By working with a Registered Dietitian, you can learn how these foods can still fit into your diet even if you have diabetes.

Sara: A common nutrition misconception is that food is “good” or “bad.” A good dietitian knows that food has no morality, and a great dietitian understands that all foods fit. On the flip side, there is no single “super food” that will cure disease or make you instantly lose weight. Being healthy means including a variety of foods to fuel your body.

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FIMC Accreditation

Mfeast Dev — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:38:02 +0000

Moveable Feast Earns National Accreditation from Food is Medicine Coalition
In January 2025, Moveable Feast received the news that it would be the 10th organization to earn accreditation from the Food is Medicine Coalition (FIMC), a national coalition of nonprofit organizations that provide medically tailored meals (MTMs) and groceries (MTGs), medical nutrition therapy and nutrition counseling and education to people in communities across the country living with severe and chronic illnesses.

What does FIMC Accreditation mean?
The Food Is Medicine Coalition Medically Tailored Meal (MTM) Intervention Accreditation ensures that all accredited MTM agencies provide the same level of service regardless of location, size, or number of clients. Through the accreditation process, Moveable Feast has demonstrated that it provides a high-quality intervention that meets the needs of clients living with severe, complex, or chronic health conditions.

“Becoming an accredited organization means that we maintain the highest standards in medically tailored meal interventions and provide the same level of service regardless of location, size, or number of clients.” – Sue Elias, CEO, who celebrated the news by plugging in her speaker and playing “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang for the entire office.

The key pillars of accreditation include (but are not limited to):

Fully Integrated Registered Dietitian Nutritionist(s) (RDN)
Nutrition Care Process Intervention: Medical Nutrition Therapy, Nutrition Counseling and Nutrition Education
Medical Tailoring Following the FIMC Clinical Committee Guidelines
Food Safety
Community-based Volunteer-supported Services
HIPAA Compliance

Why is FIMC Accreditation significant?
As the national attention on medically tailored meals grows, this is an important step to assure healthcare partners, policymakers, and clients that Moveable Feast provides consistent, high-quality services that align with the best practices for medically tailored meals.

Collaborative Action
Over the last year, all Moveable Feast departments have been working together to meet the standards of accreditation. Clients and volunteers may have noticed updates in our branded meal labels and new menu items. Additionally, our team has strengthened our data tracking systems and refined our nutrition protocols to ensure we meet the highest industry standards. This collaborative effort reflects our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible care and service to those who rely on us.

“I am incredibly proud of our team for navigating this process and the work they do each day to help us fulfill our mission.” – Sue Elias

Want to learn more about FIMC, or Moveable Feast’s role in the Food Is Medicine space? Visit, https://fimcoalition.org/programs/fimc-accreditation/.

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Medically Tailored Meals in Mind

mfeast — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 16:06:00 +0000

The White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health took place last month and medically tailored meal programs were an important topic addressed. The Food is Medicine Coalition (FIMC) helped inform this conversation as members of the conference strategy group and proved to be an important resource to leaders in food, nutrition, and health.

FIMC makes up a team of nonprofit, medically tailored food and nutrition service providers, including Moveable Feast. Together, we are garnering attention and support on a national level to keep driving food access and health equity forward.

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MPT & Your Community: Moveable Feast with Susan Elias

mfeast — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 22:21:00 +0000

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Verde Cares for Community

mfeast — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0000

For ten years, Verde Pizza, located in the Canton neighborhood of Southeast Baltimore, has been serving the community so much more than great pizza. We had a chat with owner Ed Bosco to hear why he supports community-based organizations like Moveable Feast.

Verde is participating in Dining Out For Life, an annual fundraiser for Moveable Feast, scheduled this year for Thursday, September 22. This is the seventh year Ed Bosco has signed up to participate and help raise funds for Moveable Feast.

Ed has been supporting food access projects for many years, but now he has a fresh perspective on our work as someone who is managing his own diabetes diagnosis day to day.

Ed understands the importance of health education and access to care for people living with a chronic illness. That’s why he chooses to take action and support organizations like Moveable Feast.

The relationships we have with our Dining Out For Life restaurant partners are truly invaluable. We share a passion for food and believe it has a great impact on quality of life – because food is medicine! As Ed Bosco puts it, “If your business is in the community, your heart needs to be in the community.”

Dine out or order in with Verde Pizza on Thursday, September 22, to encourage these community partnerships and support Moveable Feast.

Verde Pizza is celebrating its 10th Anniversary on Monday, September 12. Free Margherita pizza from 5 – 6:30 pm for all who join them to celebrate this milestone and all they do for the community!

Verde Pizza
641 S Montford Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224

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Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation

mfeast — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 17:28:47 +0000

Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation

Volunteers are needed now more than ever to help our clients manage their health needs with reliable delivery of nutritious, medically tailored meals.

View Monthly Morsel

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Spring 2022 Newsletter

mfeast — Fri, 20 May 2022 18:08:43 +0000

View newsletter ›

Click image to view the newsletter PDF.

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Johns Hopkins Practitioners Form Cycling Team to Benefit Moveable Feast

mfeast — Tue, 17 May 2022 18:19:45 +0000

Fierce Chicks Rock raises funds to help provide 8,000 meals a week

By Michel Morris on 05/02/2022

Photos courtesy of Shanna Dell

View article on Johns Hopkins Medicine website ›

Eighteen years ago, Johns Hopkins nurse practitioner Lisa Scotti saw how much Moveable Feast supported the patients with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) whom she cared for. Scotti says Moveable Feast’s medically catered, home-delivered meals were saving people’s lives. She wanted to help the organization.

Scotti formed a Johns Hopkins Medicine cycling team, Fierce Chicks Rock, to participate in Moveable Feast’s Ride for the Feast fundraiser. Thousands of miles and two decades later, Fierce Chicks Rock has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the organization.

Before the pandemic, cyclists rode 140 miles over two days, representing how far Moveable Feast travels to feed people. Since the pandemic, the fundraiser has become a one-day event, and cyclists choose how much they’d like to ride. This year’s event will be held on May 21.

“I love it,” Scotti says. “All proceeds go to Moveable Feast. We, as a team, get to know one another. It’s my favorite thing to do all year.”

Scotti, who was on the organization’s board of directors from 2010 to 2015, says Fierce Chicks Rock has also been doing a yard sale outside her house for years, with proceeds going toward their fundraising.

Angie Kelley, Moveable Feast’s community engagement manager, says Fierce Chicks Rock has a passion for volunteering and a love for the work of Moveable Feast.

“They not only ride,” Kelley says. “They volunteer in our kitchen to help make meals, do delivery driving, serve on committees and leverage their Baltimore community for support of our work.”

Kelley says Moveable Feast’s mission is to home deliver medically tailored meals to clients living at the intersection of chronic illness and food insecurity. The organization makes and delivers about 8,000 meals a week. Each client receives about a week’s worth of meals at a time, six lunches and six dinners.

“We treat food as medicine,” Kelley says. “If people don’t have access to healthy, nutritious food, it can negatively affect their ability to manage their illness. We want them to know we are a place that’s here to support them.”

Kelley says volunteers are a critical part of Moveable Feast’s infrastructure.

“These folks are sharing their most precious commodity: time,” Kelley says.

Barbara Wilgus, a nurse practitioner and program administrator with the STD/HIV Prevention Training Center at Johns Hopkins, has volunteered with Moveable Feast for over a decade. Wilgus says in addition to raising money with Fierce Chicks Rock, she also likes to volunteer in Moveable Feast’s kitchen and wrap Christmas presents.

“I see their work’s direct impact on the people I serve,” Wilgus says. “It is lifesaving for many of my patients with HIV. There are dietitians on staff who work with patients on what food they need to stay healthy.”

Many of Wilgus’ patients who use Moveable Feast’s services are homebound, and do not have many interactions with people.

“It can be demoralizing,” she says. “It can take away the reason for living. Just having a friendly face at your door is an impactful thing when you have no connection. Volunteers sit with them and socialize. They bring human connection directly to people’s doorsteps.”

Wilgus has also organized volunteer days for the division of infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

“Putting together prepared meals as a team is a good way for people to come together,” Wilgus says. “It makes you depend on each other to get a result. We all had different tasks and jobs, and learned a lot about each other. We also learned about the immediate impact of even the smallest of actions. Spending two hours putting together some meals is helping hundreds of people survive. It’s a very little thing on my end, but brings great things to people who need it.”

Cynthia L. Sears, M.D., a professor of medicine and oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, has been riding with Fierce Chicks Rock for 17 years. She recalls that she rented a hybrid bike the first year, and did the ride when winds were more than 20 miles per hour.

“It took all day, and it was so difficult,” she says. “But it was quite an adventure and a ton of fun. Our team is like a family. We support each other. We’ve been friends for well over a decade.”

Sears, who served as president of the board from 2014 to 2016, says she also delivers meals and sometimes works in the kitchen.

“You can see the relief and the happiness when you’re bringing the meals. You are part of a support system,” Sears says. “None of us are healthy if we don’t eat well. Getting to the grocery store can be a huge challenge. Moveable Feast embraces all individuals who have chronic illnesses.”

“You always pack way more meals than you thought you would,” Dell says. “You get to see what the clients are eating and what goes into it. I’m in awe of the work Moveable Feast puts in every day.”

Before nursing school, Jennifer Gaver worked for Johns Hopkins Medicine as a research program coordinator investigating HIV/STI behavioral interventions. She spent two years as an HIV community outreach worker, and is now a nurse in the adult emergency department at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

“Many of my patients were Moveable Feast clients, and often spoke fondly of the organization’s services,” she says. “I joined Fierce Chicks to raise money for Moveable Feast, knowing that the money raised goes directly toward feeding members of the Baltimore community.”

The first year Gaver participated in Ride for the Feast, the ride sponsors realized they had lost a rider along the course – Gaver.

“Fortunately for me, they sent the motorcycle team out to guide me in,” Gaver says. “It was a pretty epic feeling riding the last 30 miles of the ride flanked by three motorcycles!”

For Gaver, the ride has become symbolic.

“Riding a bicycle for 100 miles reminds me that I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to. You make the decision, train hard, jump on the bike and go. It directly translates into life,” she says. “In terms of the fundraising, it is a testament to what a group of people can do when they set their minds to it. So, come and ride with us!”

Fierce Chicks Rock team members also include Meredith Zoltick, Margaret Hart, Jean Anderson (retired), Geetanjali Chander, Deborah Michelle (retired), Drew Pardoll, Norberth (Bud) Stracker, Joyce Jones, Elizabeth Gilliams, Amy Burrell, Chris Snow, Lindsey Gnazzo, Sarah Frank and Jill Crank.

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Three “health” myths debunked

mfeast — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 19:21:35 +0000

Myth: Fat is bad

Reality: In the 80s, the “low-fat craze” really affected how people thought about nutrition and the importance of fat in our diet was unfortunately dismissed until recent years. The fact is, fat, like the other macronutrients (protein and carbohydrates), is important in our diets. Fat is an essential component of our cell membranes and hormones, it’s needed for the absorption of certain vitamins, and it helps us feel full and satiated for longer. Some delicious and heart-healthy fats we should all incorporate in our diets include oils such as canola or olive oil; nuts and seeds; and, fatty fish, such as salmon. Even butter or other fats are okay in moderation! Deprivation is never the answer to living healthy and happy.

Myth: You need to drink 64oz of water every day

Reality: Everyone is different! Honestly, the best way to check your hydration is to peek at the toilet before flushing. The color of urine in a hydrated person should be a very light yellow (think lemonade). And, speaking of lemonade, there are other ways to increase hydration levels aside from drinking tap water. Sparkling water, lemonade and tea all count toward hydration goals as well as fruits and vegetables with high water concentration like cucumbers, watermelon, and tomatoes. To learn more about the variety of ways to achieve your hydration goals, watch this video made by one of our Johns Hopkins dietetic interns, Abby.

Myth: “Detox drinks” improve health

Reality: Detoxing is something your body naturally does. Save the $10 you were going to spend on that green juice and instead have some gratitude for your liver and kidney, because if you have those organs, your body is already doing what it needs to detox. Additionally, many of the fresh-pressed juices advertised as detox drinks have lost a key nutrient: Fiber. Fiber is important in our diets because it lowers the risk for developing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes and can help one achieve/maintain a healthy weight given that it helps you feel full and satisfied longer. If you really like the idea of having a “green drink”, make a smoothie instead so you can get some healthy fats and fiber in your body as well.

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