Renee Johnson, a third generation United States Airforce veteran, first came to Food Outreach in October 2012 when she was undergoing chemotherapy for stage three breast cancer. Almost ten years later, she found herself back at Food Outreach as part of a pilot program for veterans with type 2 diabetes.

Renee was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 48—the same age as when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her mother lost her battle to cancer when she was 53 years old. Now 59, and 11 years into remission, Renee still takes to heart all the advice her mother gave her. “I live for her. And the one thing that she told me, never let fear keep you from understanding what you need to do in your life.”

In addition to nutrition services, Renee found support in the community at Food Outreach. “I didn't have very much support when I was going through my cancer treatment. All of my parents and grandparents and godparents are gone. And I was facing this pretty much by myself. Food Outreach was the one place that I always looked forward to coming to because that was really the only basis of support that I had. I would be sitting in the infusion room by myself, and it was nice to know that I was getting ready to go to Food Outreach because that’s where I got my sense of community and support. Food Outreach served me in that way—it was so much more than just the food.”

The fresh food from Food Outreach helped ease some of the side effects from the chemotherapy that Renee was receiving. “I had so much food from Food Outreach--the fresh fruits and vegetables and the way that everything is distinguished for your specific medical needs. Every time I came to Food Outreach, I would look up at all of the plates with donor names, and I would give a silent thank you to them. I'm just filled with gratitude for all that Food Outreach did for me.”

Read more about Renee on our Nourish and Flourish Blog!

Give the Gift of Nutrition supporting Food Outreach

Give the Gift of Nutrition

Give the Gift of Nutrition supporting Food Outreach