Healthcare Partner Resources
Supporting Health
Revive & Thrive Project supports medical providers, dietitians, and social workers to improve the experience of care, reduce healthcare costs, and boost the health of our community.
85% of our new client referrals come from local healthcare organizations. As the leader in providing nutrient-rich meals for the seriously ill in Kent County, Revive & Thrive Project creates beautiful, delicious meals featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. We use organic, locally-sourced produce whenever possible.
“I truly believe food is medicine. I have seen these meals comfort and heal many who are fighting cancer or chronic illness. I am so glad to be a part of Revive & Thrive Project.”
Fresh, Plant-Forward Meals
One of the most important factors for client success with Revive & Thrive meal service is an interest in eating mostly plant-based foods in line with the DASH and Mediterranean diets. Clients should be willing to try new foods including vegetables, plant-based proteins, and whole grains.
Using the sample menu to ensure that a potential client is interested in the provided meals is highly encouraged. Please share the sample menu with your patient and discuss the content of the meals to ensure that they are interested in eating at least 90% of the foods offered in a typical week.
“Having these prepared meals helps me keep my strength up. I used to miss several meals because I can’t stand up that long to cook, so I just starved. But with Revive & Thrive meals I don’t worry any longer. Just to know I have food in my fridge that I can heat up and eat is amazing.”
Combatting Barriers to Healthy Eating
Revive & Thrive aims to serve those with a barrier to healthy eating while going through a medical crisis. However, food insecurity is not a prerequisite for receiving meals. The following barriers to healthy eating would also qualify a client who is experiencing a medical crisis:
- Experiencing exhaustion, fatigue, or side effects from treatment that make preparing healthy meals difficult
- Acting as a caregiver for a spouse, children or family members while going through treatment
- Experiencing financial difficulties due to medical costs that make it difficult to purchase healthy ingredients
- Insufficient knowledge of nutritious food sourcing and cooking, with a desire to learn more about using food as medicine
- Difficulty with chronic disease management, with a strong motivation to use lifestyle measures including nutrition to improve disease management
“How wonderful it is to have something already prepared that I feel good about eating! And to know that local, caring hands have put it together with kindness. The care and kindness behind the food is encouragement to the soul! ”
Steps to Referring Your Patient
1. Review the eligibility criteria to ensure that your patient is eligible. For any questions regarding eligibility, please call 616-606-3314 or email carlita@reviveandthriveproject.org before submitting a referral.
2. Share the Meal Recipient FAQ and Sample Menu with your patient and ensure that they understand the basics of Revive & Thrive meal service, including the short-term nature of the program and home delivery which requires someone to be present at the client’s address each Wednesday evening to accept and refrigerate the meals.
3. Inform your patient of the next steps for enrollment including an intake call from our staff, application completed by the individual, potential waiting list, and meal service beginning as soon as possible. Please see below for more detailed information on next steps following the referral submission.
Next Steps After Referral
1. Intake Call: A staff member from Revive & Thrive Project will contact the referred patient via phone to conduct an intake call within 5 business days of receiving the referral.
2. Application: Following the intake call, the patient will be responsible for completing an application for meal service via email or postal mail.
3. Waiting List: Once the application is returned via email or postal mail, the patient will be enrolled. If a waiting list is in effect, the patient will be given a waiting list status and estimated start date.
4. Meal Service Starts: The first meal delivery will be scheduled as soon as possible.
Your patient’s meal service start date depends on several factors, including our client services team’s ability to reach your patient via phone to complete an intake call, and the speed with which the client completes the application via email or postal mail. Encouraging your patient to answer the phone for the intake call and to complete the application in a timely manner is greatly appreciated.
Questions? Contact our Client Services Team:
carlita@reviveandthriveproject.org or (616) 606-3314
Revive & Thrive Project is an equal opportunity provider.