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.

Running The Soup Project takes more than good intentions. Every week, volunteers cook, package, and deliver homemade soup to elderly, homebound, and seriously ill neighbors across our community. For many of the people we serve, that knock on the door is the only visitor they see all week. And for the caregivers holding it all together, one less meal to make is one less thing on their plate.

Last fiscal year (Sept 2025-Aug 2026), we served more than 12,000 meals at a cost of roughly $2.14 each. That number doesn’t include the countless hours our volunteers give for free. Grants help, but they only cover a portion of what it takes. The rest comes from this community: donations, our annual fundraiser, and people who believe no one should face illness or isolation without a warm meal.

Join us at our Annual Luncheon Fundraiser on September 26, 2026, 11am to 1pm at Red Mill Pavilion. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Can’t make it but still want to help? For just $125, you can sponsor a neighbor for a full year of weekly meals. Donate here.

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.