Learn Why This Thrive Gives Veteran Is So Grateful for His Thrive Market Membership

U.S. Army veteran Mike McGinnis credits the military with teaching him valuable skills that have served him well in the many roles he’s had throughout his life. He’s very grateful for his Thrive Market membership, which saved him time and money during a particularly difficult time.

Where you’re from: Originally from Michigan, but currently live in New Mexico.
How long you’ve been a Thrive Gives: Since 2018

Tell us about your family.

My wife and I have two children, ages 27 and 24. One is a bank manager and the other a social worker. My wife doesn’t currently work, but she was a Head Start teacher. After serving in the military for five years, I worked at a steel plant for 13 years, until it closed down. Then I went into law enforcement for 11 years. I’m also an EMT. My family and I like to camp, hang out with each other, travel, and explore. We also love our dogs and spend a lot of time hanging out with them.

Tell us about your time serving our country.

I enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1987 and served for five years, including time in the Gulf War. I was a gunner on the M1 tanks. I’ve also served time in Korea, Thailand, and Hawaii.

What role did your service play in making you the person you are today?

My time in the military went relatively well. I learned about family, honor, and the power of serving something bigger than myself. It taught me to be a better human and to understand others. It also made me realize how much I love my country. I learned many skills in the military, which served me well later in life. I obtained mechanical skills and later went on to become a heavy equipment mechanic. After that, I went into law enforcement, which I still do today. All of my military training provided a good foundation for what I currently do.

How will you be commemorating Veteran’s Day this year?

This year, I’ll probably be working on Veteran’s Day. However, all of us vets usually go out to eat or BBQ for lunch that day. It’s nice to get together and just talk and relax.

Tell us about how your Thrive Gives membership impacts you and your family.

My membership has helped me and my wife so much! I’ve struggled with eating properly, but my wife always knows what to eat and cook. But then, she got sick. She lost a ton of weight and stopped eating. I thought I would lose her. When we finally found a doctor who could help, I was more than happy. He put her on a specific diet. I had to take over the shopping, but it was hard for me to figure out what to get, where to get it—and leaving her to go to the store was difficult. That’s where Thrive Market came in. I was so grateful to have so many healthy options at my fingertips. My wife was even able to help me pick out the right things to buy. Thrive Market has saved me money and time, both of which have been so important in the past months. I can’t thank you enough.

What’s your favorite product to buy on Thrive Market?

We like everything that we get from Thrive Market. I would say the best has been the Thrive Market Goods items. It’s a better deal, and just as good as top brand products. The spices are really great. Mainly I like that I can find what my wife wants and needs (and me, too), for a reasonable price.

Our one-for-one membership matching program means that your paid Thrive Market membership provides a free one for a low-income family, student, teacher, veteran, or first responder. As a community, we can all thrive together.