Our Story


Food and nutrition insecurity is real.


This became evident to our team while working on a grant for medically tailored meals and thus the story began that ignited our passion.


During our work, outcomes we gathered started showing improvement in overall health of our meal box recipients and we notice a reduction in hospital admissions. Soon after, in the early months of 2020, we recognized a large gap in general access to consistent food sources and scant coverage of nutrition services. As a result of the good outcomes achieved, we decided to implement the same concept using shelf stable meal boxes for food-insecure older adults. All through the pandemic, our territory grew from providing shelf stable meals across the state of Maryland, to neighboring states of Delaware and the District of Columbia. People were willing to travel to collect our meal boxes weekly.


It is the belief of our Foundation that every individual has a right to be food and nutrition secure with equitable access. Nutrition is the foundation for the building blocks for health.


Our work started in Maryland, but we intend to grow well beyond its borders to reach as many people as we can across the USA and globally.

Mission:

Promoting food and nutrition equity.

Vision:

Harnessing the power of food and nutrition to enhance mental and physical health through the ages.

We're thrilled to announce that Wholesome Village has been awarded the prestigious Bronze Seal of Transparency from GuideStar! This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in all aspects of our work. As we continue our mission of promoting food and nutrition equity, we are proud to uphold the highest standards of integrity and openness. Thank you for your ongoing support as we strive to make a meaningful difference in communities worldwide.

Board Members

Loreto Albiol, M.D.

President

Dr. Loreto Albiol graduated from Universidad Nacional de Asunción Faculty of Medicine in Paraguay (MD). She has over 30 years of experience in private practice and specializes in family practice, geriatric medicine, and internal medicine. Her extensive experience reflects not only her medical acumen but also her dedication to providing comprehensive healthcare solutions to individuals of all ages.

Lucille Beseler, MS, RDN, LD

Treasurer

Lucille Beseler is a graduate of Queens College and earned a Master of Science degree from New York University. She is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, Author, Speaker, and Entrepreneur. Currently, Beseler serves on a number of scientific advisory boards for the following companies: Reckitt- Mead Johnson, Kate Farms, Byheart, Nutrition4Kids, and Advanced Micronutrition.

Margaret Hackett, RN

Secretrary

Margie Hackett has been employed at Suburban Hospital since 1986 and has had various positions, including Cardiac and Geriatric Care in the hospital as a bedside nurse and in the community as a case manager. In the past 12 years, she has been involved in transitions of care from the hospital to the home or the next level of care. More recently, Margie has been leading collaborations with many skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies.

Staff Members

Livleen Gill, MBA, RDN, LDN

CEO

Livleen Gill is an accomplished healthcare leader with over 25 years of experience. A strategic thinker, adept communicator, and influencer, she specializes in healthcare operations and business development. Livleen champions food and nutrition equity as a trailblazer in the field whose contributions extend to policy development and community leadership.

Carl Barnes, MS, RDN, LDN

Executive Director

Carl Barnes is a dynamic force in the nutrition field, blending leadership, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. With an MS in Nutrition Science from Baylor University and a BS in Foods and Nutrition from San Diego State University, Carl brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for advancing nutrition knowledge and well-being.

Stacey Williamson

Nutrition Coordinator

Stacey Williamson embodies a multifaceted career marked by innovation and excellence in the fields of nutrition, entrepreneurship, and software engineering. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition from The University of Alabama in 2022, and has harnessed her expertise to drive meaningful change.