Watch the “Good Neighbors” segment on Fox47 highlighting our program!

Read an article about The Soup Project in Rural Innovation Exchange:
Soup’s on! Portland community project delivers fresh soup to the elderly and others every week

Mission:

To establish a collaborative, community-based program that will provide fresh and prepared food and community resource information, delivered weekly, to home-bound Portland School District residents and any family affected by serious illness residing in the Portland School District, while also developing a template for other communities to follow, if they desire to replicate this program.

To accomplish this mission, we bring together diverse communities for the common good. Everyone and every group has a “seat at our table,” including volunteering and the people we serve. All partners are equally important, and this collaboration is a key piece in the foundation of the program.

Who qualifies for The Soup Project?

Residents living within the Portland Public School District who fall into the following categories:

• Those that are homebound and/or have limited ability to leave their home
• Elderly people living on a fixed budget
• Residents dealing with a life-limiting illness

Client Intake Form – Complete form and send to Michelle VanSlambrouck.

How The Soup Project is helping the community

On November 1, 2022, The Soup Project delivered its first meals to 50 clients located throughout the Portland School District. Each week, our volunteers generously donate time to cook and deliver delicious, nutritious, freshly made soups (e.g., chicken noodle, beef barley mushroom, cream of broccoli, 15 bean, beef minestrone, turkey noodle, twice-baked potato, split pea with ham, chicken and rice, cabbage roll), along with a variety of muffins and cookies.

As of August 2025, we recently wrapped up our fiscal year, giving us a clear picture of what it costs to operate and what our per-meal cost is.

With our upcoming fundraising event — and in the spirit of full transparency — we’d like to share our yearly expenses and how your support is put to work.

It costs $23,020.79 to operate The Soup Project for a full year. This includes insurance, website, paper goods, cookies, and fresh ingredients for our soups. In that same year, we prepared and delivered 10,618 meals, bringing our cost to just $2.16 per meal or $4.32 per person per week (each person receives two meals weekly).

For such a small amount, we’re able to do a tremendous amount of good. We are a 100% volunteer-driven organization making fresh soups and muffins delivered directly to members of our community. We reconnect our elderly neighbors to their community, show caregivers that they are seen and appreciated, and provide nourishing meals to those living on fixed incomes — helping stretch food budgets while filling days with care and connection.

Board of Directors:

Michelle VanSlambrouck, President
Former small business owner operating a small coffee shop/bakery for 9 years. Co-founder of non-profit Portland Backpacks for Bellies (PBB). Served 3+ years as a member of the Portland Community Fund Association/PBB. Former licensed EMT and CNA, with extensive work in caring for the elderly and terminally ill.

Julie A. Chapin, Secretary
Retired. Provided leadership for statewide community youth development program for 37 years. Experience in designing and implementing successful and effective volunteer-supported community and youth development programs at local, state and national levels. Experienced fundraiser and grant writer. Board member for Portland Community Fund Association and Portland Backpacks for Bellies. Doctorate in Educational Administration from Michigan State University

Allison Pulling, Co-Treasurer
Four years public accounting experience, specifically in the area of non-profit audit and tax with Andrews Hooper Pavlik in Okemos, MI. Eleven years private accounting experience – operations management, financial decision making, payables, receivables, general ledger, banking, cost accounting, etc. June 2016 to Present – Controller at THK Rhythm Automotive Michigan in Portland, MI. Volunteer for non-profit Portland Community Arts Council – Treasurer. Registered CPA Status (State of Michigan). MBA from Central Michigan University and BS in Accounting from Central Michigan University.

Suzanne Maystead, Co-Treasurer
Local business owner for 39 years. Board member of local non-profit for 15 years. Treasurer of local non-profit for 10+ years. Financial advisor and treasurer for Portland Backpacks for Bellies for 3 years.

Sandra Olson, Board Member
Board member of the non-profit Portland Community Fund Association for 20 years, serving as president and vice-president. Board member of the non-profit Portland Backpacks for Bellies. Volunteer at Sparrow Ionia Hospital in Outpatient Surgery for over 23 years. Retired Middle School Physical Education teacher.

Edward DeTour, Board Member
Executive Director of Northern Transitions, Inc., in Sault Ste. Marie, MI for 25 years (1991-2016). Retired. Private non-profit corporation providing vocational training services to individuals with barriers to employment. Served on board of directors for MARO state association for 15 years. Held positions of treasurer, vice-president and president for two-year terms. Graduate of Michigan State University, Elementary Education. Graduate degree from Central Michigan University, Guidance and Educational Development.