You Shared the Health: Meet 3 Families We’re Celebrating This Giving Tuesday

If we had to pick one word to describe the Thrive Market community, it would be giving. Members have donated more than $485,000 at checkout this year alone, funding healthy groceries for Thrive Gives members and stepping up even more in times of need. After the wildfires on Maui this past summer, members donated more than $22,000 to help send pantry staples, diapers, and other essential items to families when they needed them most. 

To our community, Giving Tuesday isn’t just one day to give back; it’s a spirit you carry all year long. So it was no surprise that when we announced our Share the Health campaign and asked you to nominate a family, teacher, veteran, nurse, or first responder for their chance to win $1,000 in healthy groceries, you delivered. More than 250 of you shared stories of friends and families, and while we wish we could send holiday cheer to each and every nominee, we were able to randomly select three deserving people — all thanks to you.

Meet 3 Deserving Winners 

Nominated by her childhood best friend, Julie is a yoga teacher, reiki practitioner, and mom of two young kids. After being diagnosed with breast cancer more than a year ago, she had to give up breastfeeding and undergo treatment, leaving her husband to be the primary caregiver for their children while she recovered. Julie’s friend Holly describes her as a “gentle, kind, thoughtful person, always remembering everyone’s birthday and anniversary” and that “she longs for her healing to be the mother she desires for her babies.” Last month, Julie finally got some good news: she shared on her GoFundMe page that her latest scans showed no new cancer. 

Susan lives with a rare progressive neurological disease and recently transitioned to using a wheelchair. She’s no longer able to drive and her husband recently suffered a motorcycle accident, so grocery delivery is essential for their family. Susan’s friend Jodie nominated her, and after a few phone calls, we convinced them both that it was true — Susan was one of our winners! 

After the loss of her husband this summer, Amy and their son are both grieving and fighting to overcome the financial hardships that have come as a result. Amy also suffers from celiac disease, and her son has started to show signs of gluten sensitivity as well. Amy’s friend Rachel describes her as “so incredibly kind, thoughtful, and generous” and “a hard worker, dedicated mother, and wonderful friend.” Their friendship and connection was evident through just a few email exchanges with our team, and we were honored to do what we can to help this family through a difficult time. 

Giving Tuesday, Giving Every Day   

To celebrate Giving Tuesday this year, we joined our nonprofit partner, FoodCycle LA, for one of our favorite events: a grocery donation in south LA. Our teams joined forces at Alma Farms in Compton to pack and distribute 300 bags of healthy groceries from Thrive Market and fresh produce from FoodCycle LA to local families ahead of the holiday. 

The giving doesn’t stop there — together, we’re well on our way toward our goal of raising and donating $20 million in healthy groceries by 2030. With every donation at checkout and every new membership, we get one step closer toward our mission to make healthy and sustainable living easy and affordable for everyone. 

Apply to Thrive Gives 

If you’re a student, teacher, nurse, veteran, first responder, or family who’s struggling, you qualify for a free one-year membership to Thrive Market through our Thrive Gives program. There’s no one perfect Thrive Gives member, so please apply for your free membership and encourage others to apply, too. 
Already a Thrive Gives member? We want to hear from you! If you’re comfortable on camera and want to share your story of healthy living with our community, send us a note at Mission@ThriveMarket.com. We might just show up with a camera crew and a few boxes of healthy groceries at your door.