Agency spotlight: Thrive HIV Prevention & Support

Thrive HIV Prevention & Support is dedicated to helping individuals living with and affected by HIV. Their programs and services—including harm reduction, healthcare, social supports, prevention education, and outreach in encampments, parks, and other areas where unhoused individuals seek shelter—aim to reduce risks, remove barriers, and make care and resources accessible to everyone.

“We proudly serve diverse and often marginalized communities, including people of African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) descent, men who have sex with men (MSM), women, youth, incarcerated individuals, and immigrants,” explains Greg Mann, the Waterloo region coordinator of support services at Thrive HIV Prevention & Support.

Outside of Thrive HIV Prevention & Support.

With support from The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, the organization also provides food assistance to clients in need through their hamper program, which operates Monday through Friday at their Kitchener location. People can choose from a variety of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable foods to build a hamper that meets their needs. Each week, the program serves about 55 households.

“With the choice model, they get to choose what they want, and we assist with packing,” Greg says. “People are permitted three frozen items, six fresh vegetables or fruit, and a selection of non-perishables.”

Food distributed at the program.

The organization also runs a nutritional outreach program, providing snacks to individuals experiencing food insecurity at their Kitchener and Cambridge locations, as well as during community outreach. On average, the program distributes about 80 snacks each month.

For Greg, the most meaningful part of the work is seeing community members benefit from the support they receive.

“The most rewarding part is knowing that the people we serve will have food in their bellies and the most marginalized people in our community receive nutrition,” Greg shares. “The feedback says it all. They are so thankful for the food.”

Thrive HIV Prevention & Support is one of 54 organizations in the Community Food Assistance Network. If you’d like to help The Food Bank support Network partners like Thrive HIV Prevention & Support, visit our Get Involved section on our website to learn more about donating food, funds, or time.