FAQs

Revive & Thrive is a Grand-Rapids local 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Food as Medicine provider delivering fresh, medically supportive meals to individuals and families facing cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Our meals are no-cost and support everyone, regardless of income or age. Revive & Thrive empowers teen chefs to proudly help craft our fresh meals through a collaborative cooking experience for our clients. 

Revive & Thrive offers more than meal delivery—we provide a short-term, family-centered nutrition support program for individuals navigating a serious health condition. Our distinctive model combines freshly prepared, medically supportive meals, registered dietitian nutrition education, and support for the household, helping individuals build healthier habits and regain confidence in managing their nutrition. Unlike many meal delivery services, our program is available at no cost, regardless of age or income. 

Executive Chef, Mandy Thompson, oversees kitchen operations, including recipe development, menu planning, meal preparation, and kitchen volunteer training. She also leads the Teen Chef program and brings a background in holistic health, healthy cooking, and youth education. Her passion is making nutritious food both delicious and accessible. 

Our meals are prepared under the leadership of Executive Chef Mandy Thompson, alongside our kitchen assistants and dedicated volunteers. Together, they prepare fresh, nutritious, medically supportive meals each week with care and attention to our clients' dietary needs. 

There are many ways to support Revive & Thrive! You can make a financial donation to help provide fresh, medically supportive meals; contribute in-kind items and supplies; volunteer your time; or advocate for our mission by sharing our story with friends, family, and your community. You can also organize a personal fundraiser, celebrate a birthday or special occasion by inviting others to give, or connect us with businesses and organizations interested in supporting our work. Every contribution, big or small, helps nourish individuals and families navigating a health crisis!

Donate (one-time, DAF, planned giving, in memory of gift, corporate/company matching gift etc), Food Drive (post updated flyer), Sponsorship, Giving Circle, Amazon Wishlist, attend an Event, and volunteering.

Revive & Thrive meals are provided at no cost to our clients, regardless of age or income. For donations, we accept contributions online through our website, by check (mail to: 1815 Hall Street SE, Grand Rapids MI 49506), or through other approved giving methods. We also accept in-kind donations to support our meal program and operations. 

Yes! Revive & Thrive is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are generally tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We provide donation acknowledgments and tax receipts for eligible contributions. Our Tax ID EIN is 90-1015393.

Please consult your tax advisor regarding your specific tax situation. 

Our meals cost about $75 per person each week. Currently we prepare 700 meals for 100 clients weekly.

Revive and Thrive's Giving Circle is a group of monthly donors. There is no monthly donation minimum to join the Giving Circle, no amount is too small. When you become a part of the Giving Circle you receive the following perks: 

• Quarterly Recipe Cards of our most popular recipes and client favorites. 

• Monthly Impact reports to track the difference your monthly donation is making in the community. 

• Knowing every dollar is directly providing meals for your neighbors navigating cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. 

Revive & Thrive is funded through the generosity of individual donors, corporate and community partners, foundation and state grants, sponsorships, and fundraising events (Miles for Meals 5K and Celebrate the Harvest). We also receive in-kind donations and volunteer support that help sustain our programs. This community-wide support allows us to provide fresh, medically supportive meals and nutrition education at no cost to individuals and families navigating a serious illness. 

Getting started with Revive & Thrive is easy! To enroll in our meal service, visit our website and complete our New Client Referral Form. Once we receive your referral, our Client Services Manager and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Skylar O'Donnell, will review it and follow up with our enrollment form. 

Once both forms are completed, you'll be added to our waitlist. When an opening becomes available, Skylar will give you a call to discuss next steps and get you started with meal service. 

Our program is available at no cost to individuals navigating cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other qualifying health conditions, regardless of age or income. We also provideup to 3 meal bags for household members, including spouses, children, and caregivers. 

Once both your referral and enrollment forms are completed, you are added to our waitlist. Due to high demand for our services and limited meal preparation capacity, there may be a wait before an opening becomes available. Our Client Services Manager and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Skylar O'Donnell, will contact you by phone when a spot opens up and discuss next steps. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding! We know how important nutrition support can be while navigating a health condition, and we're working hard to serve as many individuals and families as possible. 

Revive & Thrive provides short-term meal support for up to 24 weeks based off our parent affiliate, Ceres Community Project, in Sonoma, California. Revive & Thrive provides meal service for up to 24 weeks through a structured model designed to support individuals during acute recovery and help them transition toward greater independence. During this time, clients receive medically supportive meals and nutrition education to build healthier habits and confidence in managing their nutrition long-term. 

The 24-week timeframe also allows us to responsibly manage our nonprofit resources and extend support to more individuals and families waiting for services. 

Our goal is to provide more than meals—we want to build a foundation for lasting health beyond the program. 

Each week, you'll receive a variety of freshly prepared, nutritious meals designed to support your health and make mealtime easier. Meals are prepared by our dietician nad Executive Chef, kitchen team, volunteers, and teen chefs with menus that emphasize whole foods and medically supportive nutrition. 

Our weekly menus change to offer variety and incorporate seasonal ingredients. 

• 1 hearty salad 

• 1 quart of soup 

• 4 entrées (2 poultry and 2 vegan/vegetarian) 

• 1 refined sugar-free dessert 

• 1 yogurt parfait 

• An occasional snack, depending on the weekly menu 

Curious what’s cooking? Visit our Sample Menus page to see examples of the meals we prepare or contact our Client Services Manager. 

Revive & Thrive's meal service is provided at no cost to clients, regardless of age or income. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, grants, community partners, and volunteers, we are able to provide fresh, medically supportive meals and nutrition education to individuals and families navigating cancer, diabetes, and heart disease without charging for services. 

Yes! We recognize that a health crisis affects the entire household, not just the individual diagnosed. Revive & Thrive can provide up to three meals for eligible households, including spouses, children, and caregivers, so the whole family can benefit from nutritious meals and have one less thing to worry about. Household meal needs are discussed during the enrollment process. 

All meals should be refrigerated promptly upon delivery. Each item comes with storage and reheating instructions to help maintain freshness, quality, and food safety. Most entrées can be reheated in the microwave or oven, while salads, parfaits, and desserts are usually meant to be enjoyed cold. We recommend following the instructions provided with each meal for the best results! 

For any questions or changes related to your meal service, please contact Skylar O'Donnell, our Client Services Manager and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Whether you need to update your household information, discuss dietary needs, make delivery changes, or have questions about your meals, Skylar is happy to help! 

That's okay! We understand that everyone's appetite and needs are different, especially when navigating a health condition. If you find you're receiving more food than you can comfortably enjoy, please reach out to Skylar O'Donnell, our Client Services Manager and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). She can discuss your household's needs and help determine whether adjustments can be made to your meal service. We want to make sure the meals we provide are helpful and not overwhelming! 

Our medically supportive meals are thoughtfully designed to support individuals navigating cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other health conditions. Under the guidance of our Executive Chef and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), menus emphasize whole foods, plant-forward ingredients, and principles of the Mediterranean and DASH dietary patterns. We focus on providing balanced, nourishing meals that support overall health while making healthy eating delicious and approachable. Our goal is to nourish your body, support your health journey, and help you build healthy habits that last beyond our program! 

Meals are delivered directly to your home every Wednesday evening, typically around 6:00 PM, by our dedicated delivery volunteers. Your meals arrive in insulated bags with ice packs to help keep everything fresh during delivery. Clients who live outside our delivery range will confirm their designated pickup location during the enrollment process 

You must be home to receive your delivery so meals can be brought inside and refrigerated promptly. 

Delivery details and any special instructions will be coordinated during the enrollment process. If you are unable to be home or have an emergency, please contact our Client Services Manager, Skylar O'Donnell, by Tuesday at 3:00 PM so we can make appropriate arrangements. 

Yes! You or another designated household member must be home to receive your meal delivery every Wednesday evening. We are unable to leave meals unattended, and there are no exceptions. This is important to ensure your meals are brought inside and refrigerated promptly to maintain food safety and freshness. 

If you are unable to be home, please contact our Client Services Manager, Skylar O'Donnell, by Tuesday at 3:00 PM to discuss your situation. 

Someone must be home to receive your meal delivery every Wednesday evening. If no one is available, our volunteers cannot leave the meals unattended, and the delivery will be considered a missed delivery unless it is discussed beforehand. 

If you know you will be unavailable, please contact our Client Services Manager, Skylar O'Donnell, by Tuesday at 3:00 PM to cancel or discuss your delivery. 

Please note: Multiple missed deliveries or no-shows may result in termination of meal service. This policy helps us prevent food waste and ensure our limited resources reach individuals and families who are able to receive their meals. 

We’d love to have you join our volunteer team! Revive & Thrive offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, including meal preparation, packaging, delivery, special events, and our Teen Chef program. Whether you have a few hours to give or want to get involved regularly, there are many ways to make a difference. Visit our website to learn more and complete a volunteer application or contact Alex Crow (alex@reviveandthrive.org) for additional questions. 

Volunteer opportunities are available Monday through Wednesday, with shifts supporting meal preparation, packaging, and delivery. We welcome both one-time and recurring volunteers! 

Weekly Volunteer Shifts 

• Monday | 12:00–3:00 PM: Adult Kitchen Volunteer – Chop & Chat 

• Tuesday | 12:00–3:00 PM: Adult Kitchen Volunteer – Chop & Chat 

• Tuesday | 3:30–6:00 PM: Teen Chef Volunteer – Must be at least 14 years old and currently enrolled in high school 

• Tuesday | 3:30–6:00 PM: Adult Kitchen Support 

• Wednesday | 12:00–3:00 PM: Adult Kitchen Support 

• Wednesday | 3:30–6:00 PM: Teen Chef Volunteer – Must be at least 14 years old and currently enrolled in high school 

• Wednesday | 3:30–6:00 PM: Meal Packaging 

• Wednesday | 6:00–7:30 PM: Delivery Driver 

A Few Things to Know: Some volunteer roles require standing for extended periods, depending on the shift. Please consider your comfort and physical abilities when selecting an opportunity. 

Ready to get involved? Sign up through our volunteer interest form on our website! Our team will follow up to help you get started and find the right fit. 

No kitchen experience is necessary! Our Executive Chef, kitchen assistants, and experienced volunteers will provide guidance and instructions throughout your shift. Whether you're comfortable chopping vegetables or brand new to the kitchen, there's a place for you on our team. We welcome anyone with a willingness to learn and a heart for helping others!

We welcome teen volunteers ages 14 and older who are currently enrolled in high school curriculum, as well as adult volunteers! Our Teen Chef shifts are designed specifically for high school students, while adults can participate in a variety of kitchen, packaging, and delivery opportunities. We'd love to have you join our team!

Please wear comfortable, casual clothing that you don't mind working in. Closed-toe, non-slip shoes, short sleeve shirts, and long pants are required for kitchen safety. Volunteers must wear a hat or tie back long hair. Aprons and other necessary kitchen safety items will be provided.

Most volunteer shifts are 2–3 hours, depending on the day and role. We offer a variety of shifts Monday through Wednesday, and you can choose the opportunity that works best with your schedule. Whether you can volunteer occasionally or come regularly, every bit of time makes a difference!

Depends! Volunteers working in the kitchen are required to complete a brief volunteer orientation before their first shift. This helps you get familiar with our kitchen, food safety practices, and what to expect.

For Teen Chef volunteers, meal packaging volunteers, and delivery drivers, orientation is not required but is always welcome! We're happy to answer questions and help everyone feel comfortable and prepared before getting started.

Absolutely! We love welcoming friends, family members, and groups to volunteer together. It's a great way to give back and make a difference as a team!

All volunteers must complete a volunteer application before their first shift. If you're coordinating a larger group, please reach out to Alex Crow, our Program & Operations Manager (alex@reviveandthrive.org) ahead of time so we can plan and find the best opportunity for your group.

When you arrive to 1815 Hall Street SE, Grand Rapids MI 49506, please park in the large parking lot and enter through our volunteer entrance and ring the volunteer doorbell.

A member of our team will welcome you, show you around, and help you get settled in for your shift. We'll review your role, provide any necessary instructions, and answer questions along the way.