‘Makes me want to cook’: Nonprofit launches meal box program to support adults with autism
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. ABOUT 50% OF PEOPLE IN ITINERIS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM ARE ON SNAP. THIS NEW MEAL KIT PROGRAM IS HELPING TO MEET THE NEED DURING THE LAPSE IN SNAP BENEFITS WE’RE SEEING, WHILE ALSO INSPIRING PEOPLE ACROSS THE PROGRAM TO MAKE THEIR OWN MEALS. CILANTRO AND CHEESE PICKING AND CHOOSING INGREDIENTS TO MAKE A FRESH, NUTRITIOUS MEAL. I DON’T REALLY LIKE COOKING, SO HAVING THEM HELP WITH THE INGREDIENTS AND STUFF ACTUALLY MAKES ME WANT TO COOK. THESE BOXES ARE GREAT FOR ME, HELPING ME TO COOK MORE ADULTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM, WHO RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM THE NONPROFIT ITINERIS GET TO PUT TOGETHER THEIR OWN THRIVE BOX EVERY THURSDAY. IT’S A MEAL KIT PROGRAM SIMILAR TO HELLOFRESH O…
‘Makes me want to cook’: Nonprofit launches meal box program to support adults with autism
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. ABOUT 50% OF PEOPLE IN ITINERIS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM ARE ON SNAP. THIS NEW MEAL KIT PROGRAM IS HELPING TO MEET THE NEED DURING THE LAPSE IN SNAP BENEFITS WE’RE SEEING, WHILE ALSO INSPIRING PEOPLE ACROSS THE PROGRAM TO MAKE THEIR OWN MEALS. CILANTRO AND CHEESE PICKING AND CHOOSING INGREDIENTS TO MAKE A FRESH, NUTRITIOUS MEAL. I DON’T REALLY LIKE COOKING, SO HAVING THEM HELP WITH THE INGREDIENTS AND STUFF ACTUALLY MAKES ME WANT TO COOK. THESE BOXES ARE GREAT FOR ME, HELPING ME TO COOK MORE ADULTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM, WHO RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM THE NONPROFIT ITINERIS GET TO PUT TOGETHER THEIR OWN THRIVE BOX EVERY THURSDAY. IT’S A MEAL KIT PROGRAM SIMILAR TO HELLOFRESH OR BLUE APRON, WITH FRESH PRODUCE, MEATS, A WEEKLY RECIPE AND LIVE COOKING SKILL DEMONSTRATIONS. WE WANT ALL OF OUR CLIENTS TO HAVE ACCESS TO THIS JUST BECAUSE IT’S FUN, IT’S COOL, IT’S NEW RECIPES, A GOOD WAY TO WORK ON SKILLS, AND JUST LIKE AN OVERALL EFFECTIVE WAY OF PURCHASING GROCERIES, COOKING, AND COLLABORATING WITH OTHERS. LAUREN EATON AND HER TEAM AT ITINERIS LAUNCHED THE THRIVE BOX PROGRAM LAST WEEK AS CONCERN OVER SNAP BENEFITS STARTED TO GROW. THERE ARE 120 OVER 120,000 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN MARYLAND THAT. ARE ON SNAP BENEFITS, AND SO THIS HAS A BIG IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. EATON SAYS SHE AND HER TEAM WORRIED SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN, SO THEY STARTED APPLYING FOR GRANT FUNDS OVER THE SUMMER TO LAUNCH THIS PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE THEY COULD MEET THE NEED BETWEEN THE SNAP GAP AND RISING PRICES, EATON SAYS THE TIMING COULDN’T BE MORE PERFECT. THE PRICE OF GROCERIES HAS INCREASED A LOT AND IT KEEPS INCREASING. SO HOW DO WE DO MORE WITH LESS? HOW DO WE STRETCH OUR DOLLAR AND STRETCH OUR RESOURCES SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS, HEALTHY, FRESH FOOD IN A WAY THAT MEETS THEIR BUDGET? AND ITINERIS IS LOOKING FOR FARMERS, RESTAURANTS AND FOOD RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTNER WITH FOR THIS PROGRAM. THEY’RE ALSO OPEN TO FOOD DONATIONS AND MONETARY DONATIONS TO HELP SUPPORT THE PROGRAM. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN HELP, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE IN WOODBURY. I’M BRI
‘Makes me want to cook’: Nonprofit launches meal box program to support adults with autism
Updated: 12:51 PM CST Nov 10, 2025
A nonprofit launched a program that provides clients with meal kits to address the lapse in SNAP benefits and help them learn cooking skills.The Baltimore-based group, Itineris Baltimore, supports adults with autism and recently launched the Thrive Box program.The meal boxes are similar to meal kits like HelloFresh and Blue Apron. Participants in Itineris’ residential program can choose ingredients to create fresh, nutritious meals free of charge.Recipients will find fresh produce, meats and weekly recipes in the meal boxes. They can also learn new cooking skills each week after they put together their meal box.“I really don’t like cooking, so having them help with the ingredients and stuff actually makes me want to cook,” said Dara Hoffman, who receives the meal boxes.“These boxes are great for me, allowing me to cook more,” said Matty Weingram.Lauren Eaton, executive director of Itineris, emphasized the program’s importance.“We want all of our clients to have access to this, just because it is fun. It’s cool, new recipes, a good way to work on skills and just an overall effective way of purchasing groceries, cooking and collaborating with others,” Eaton said.Eaton and her team launched the Thrive Box program last week as concerns over SNAP benefits grow. “There are over 120,000 people with disabilities in Maryland who are on SNAP benefits, so this has a big impact on our community. This is also a population that has some other barriers to access employment and independence with their finances and their groceries, so I feel like it has a big impact, the pause in SNAP benefits. We have, in our residential program, 50% of our participants are actively enrolled in SNAP benefits and are impacted by the pause that we are seeing right now.“Eaton said the program’s launch timing is crucial due to the SNAP gap and rising grocery prices.“The price of groceries has increased a lot, and it keeps increasing, so how do we do more with less, how do we stretch our dollar and our resources so that people have access to nutritious, healthy, fresh food in a way that meets their budget?” Eaton said.Itineris is seeking partnerships with farms, food rescue organizations and restaurants for the program. It is also accepting food and monetary donations.
A nonprofit launched a program that provides clients with meal kits to address the lapse in SNAP benefits and help them learn cooking skills.
The Baltimore-based group, Itineris Baltimore, supports adults with autism and recently launched the Thrive Box program.
The meal boxes are similar to meal kits like HelloFresh and Blue Apron. Participants in Itineris’ residential program can choose ingredients to create fresh, nutritious meals free of charge.
Recipients will find fresh produce, meats and weekly recipes in the meal boxes. They can also learn new cooking skills each week after they put together their meal box.
“I really don’t like cooking, so having them help with the ingredients and stuff actually makes me want to cook,” said Dara Hoffman, who receives the meal boxes.
“These boxes are great for me, allowing me to cook more,” said Matty Weingram.
Lauren Eaton, executive director of Itineris, emphasized the program’s importance.
“We want all of our clients to have access to this, just because it is fun. It’s cool, new recipes, a good way to work on skills and just an overall effective way of purchasing groceries, cooking and collaborating with others,” Eaton said.
Eaton and her team launched the Thrive Box program last week as concerns over SNAP benefits grow.
“There are over 120,000 people with disabilities in Maryland who are on SNAP benefits, so this has a big impact on our community. This is also a population that has some other barriers to access employment and independence with their finances and their groceries, so I feel like it has a big impact, the pause in SNAP benefits. We have, in our residential program, 50% of our participants are actively enrolled in SNAP benefits and are impacted by the pause that we are seeing right now.”
Eaton said the program’s launch timing is crucial due to the SNAP gap and rising grocery prices.
“The price of groceries has increased a lot, and it keeps increasing, so how do we do more with less, how do we stretch our dollar and our resources so that people have access to nutritious, healthy, fresh food in a way that meets their budget?” Eaton said.
Itineris is seeking partnerships with farms, food rescue organizations and restaurants for the program. It is also accepting food and monetary donations.