How Thrive Market Helped Kids Have a Wholesome Summer

For students who rely on government-subsidized lunch programs, enjoying a wholesome midday meal can be a tall order once school lets out. According to Feeding America, one in six American children may not know where their next meal is coming from, which turns a summer of fun into a summer of strain for many low-income families. This year, Thrive Market stepped in to help feed as many students as we could. From coast to coast, here’s a look at some of the programs we sponsored.

SMASH Summer Camp

Summer Math and Science Honors Academy (SMASH) is a STEM program for low-income students of color that’s free of charge for three years beginning the summer before sophomore year of high school. In this five-week program, SMASH scholars (typically 50 percent girls) live on a college campus like Cal, Stanford, UCLA, UC Davis, Wayne State, The Wharton School, and Morehouse College, and receive extra support during the school year through Saturday academies that provide STEM exposure, mentorship, and computer science classes.

How we helped:

• Provided memberships for SMASH parents
• Offered Thrive Market order discounts

Community Healing Gardens

We teamed up with our friends at Community Healing Gardens in Venice, California, whose mission is to grow stronger communities through urban gardening, and provide food for people of all socio-economic levels. Its summer camp provides hands-on nutritional education and teaches kids all about gardening (getting hands dirty is required!).

How we helped:

• Delivered cooking staples (like compostable forks, plates, paper towels, and cold cups) to help students serve up delicious, garden-fresh meals.

Thrive Market Staffer Camp

Cassandra Rayburn is one of our Thrive Market employees in Batesville, Indiana, and organizes a free, week-long youth camp each summer. The camp started in 2006 as a day camp, but has grown into an overnight getaway serving 200 kids with clothing, home-cooked meals, activities, crafts, counseling, and sports. It’s funded by generous donations of local church members and is entirely volunteer-led.

How we helped:

• Sent a large donation of staples, snacks, and supplies

UPNext Elite Experience

Presented by Sports Academy and LA Chargers linebacker Hayes Pullard, the Sports Academy Foundation creates social impact through sports-based programs. By blending sports and wellness, Sports Academy creates a supportive environment for young athletes to cultivate essential skills to help them on and off the field: critical thinking, decision-making, self-confidence, physical fitness, and nutritional wellness. More than 350 young athletes from South Los Angeles attend the camp every summer!

How we helped:

• Volunteered at the 2nd Annual UPNext Elite Experience
• Donated FREE Thrive Market memberships to low-income families, students, and teachers