Here’s What Families On Pine Ridge Receive When You Sponsor Them

In December, Thrive Gives joined the True Sioux Hope Foundation to provide free memberships to the entire population of the Pine Ridge Reservation. Home to the Lakota Sioux, it’s the second largest Native American reservation in the United States, and also one of the most destitute. Ninety-seven percent of the population lives below the poverty line, with the average household income falling at just $3,000 a year.

In addition to offering all 28,000 families a free membership, Thrive Market launched an innovative pilot program to distribute free boxes of food and other household goods to a small group of families.

Here’s how it works: Thrive Market members who want to help can, for a $50 donation, supply a Pine Ridge family with one of our four curated boxes. Each is full of Thrive Market–selected products and includes everything from healthy, natural foods to organic cleaning supplies. Every box you sponsor will be delivered right to the door of a family in need on Pine Ridge Reservation. Click here to sponsor a box!

This week, we’re diving into all the goodies in our Low Sugar Staples Box. Over 37 percent of those who live on the reservation are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes—a number that’s 800 percent higher than the United States average. Because the disease often goes untreated, and because low-sugar options are difficult to find, diabetic-related blindness, amputations, and kidney failure are common.

The items in our Low Sugar Staples Box are tailored specifically for a diabetic-friendly diet, so they’re protein-rich, nutrient-dense, and taste really good. Read on to learn more about what’s inside.

Eden Foods Organic Millet

Millet isn’t your average grain—it’s gluten-free, high in protein and fiber, and tastes like fluffy mashed potatoes! The tiny seeds look and cook like quinoa, but have a more delicate taste that all ages can enjoy.

Annie’s Organic Green Garlic Dressing

Unlike other creamy salad toppers full of hidden sugars and additives, Annie’s Green Garlic dressing is made of all-natural, organic ingredients. Plus, it’s tangy and flavorful enough that even kids will want to pour it all over salads and crudites. That means zero guilt for you—and more greens for everyone.

Green Mountain Gringo Medium Salsa

Perfect for topping everything from eggs to tortilla chips, this super-fresh salsa is made of veggies, apple cider vinegar, herbs, and spices—no funky stuff here, and just one gram of naturally occurring sugar per serving. Compare that to Heinz Ketchup’s four grams of sugar per serving, and subbing in salsa for is a great option for those watching their glucose levels.

Bob’s Red Mill Organic Rolled Oats

Rolled oats are a healthy breakfast staple that deserve a prime position in the pantry. They’re not only versatile and easy-to-make, but also loaded with fiber and complex carbohydrates to ensure that blood sugar stays even throughout the day.

Wild Planet Non-GMO Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon

A shelf-stable protein source, non-GMO Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon is just like tuna—but upgraded. It’s got more omega-3 fatty acids, which can ease inflammation and support brain health.

Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Bone Stock

Bone stock is a little different than the superfood of the moment, bone broth. It doesn’t simmer for as long, but it’s still rich in gelatin and amino acids like proline and glycine, which heal and strengthen the body’s connective tissues.

Alter Eco White Jasmine Rice

White rice and brown rice aren’t all that different—the latter simply has an outer layer of bran that gives it its color. This husk is what makes brown rice difficult for some people to digest. Jasmine rice is a fragrant and flavorful alternative that pairs well with any main course.

Seeds of Change Organic Quinoa and Brown Rice

This microwaveable packet is the solution for those evenings where it seems impossible to get every dish on the table at the same time. It cooks quickly, and has a little garlic for a strong, savory taste.

Jovial Einkorn Whole Wheat Spaghetti

Einkorn is an ancient breed of whole wheat—its genetic makeup is totally different from modern, genetically modified kind, and many who have gluten or wheat intolerances find einkorn easier to digest. Non-GMO pasta and no tummy ache? We’re sold.

Jovial Organic Crushed Tomatoes

One of those pantry staples that you just need on deck, crushed tomatoes are handy to throw into chilies and stews, sauces, dips, and the like. Try them in homemade guacamole.

Earth Balance Creamy Peanut Butter

Conventional peanut butter brands are loaded with sugars, additives, and fillers that keep them from separating. Not Earth Balance—it still has that iconic PB taste, but none of the yucky stuff that can be dangerous for those watching blood sugar levels.

Wolfgang Puck Organic Free Range Chicken Noodle Soup

Savory, comforting noodle soup is always a good idea, especially when it’s made with organic, free-range chicken meat.

Want to donate a package to a family in need? Click here to select the box you’d like to sponsor. We’re so excited to continue our partnership with this incredible organization. Throughout the next year we’ll check in with the families of Pine Ridge to share their stories—so we can all see how the contribution of healthy, organic foods and products impacts life on the reservation.

We believe that everyone deserves the right to access healthy food. But even in the United States, it can prove impossible for some families. So we created Thrive Gives: a program that gives access, family by family, to affordable, healthy, and wholesome food. Click here to see if you qualify for a free Thrive Gives membership!