Iowa SHARE: Strengthening Communities Through Volunteer Service



Have you heard about SHARE in your community?



SHARE is
a private, non-profit organization that builds and strengthens
communities through volunteer service. The organization offers up to a
fifty percent savings on nutritious food packages. Everyone who
volunteers just two hours a month in her or his community is welcome to
participate. There are no other income or eligibility guidelines.



While
many in the community know of the existence of SHARE, not many take
advantage of it because of the misconceptions about the program. SHARE,
in a way, is a food co-op — buying in bulk. Many think it is only for
the poor, which is not true; it is for everyone and anyone who eats.
Yes, it is a good deal for those on limited incomes, but those who are
not and do participate are still helping, because the quantity of food
purchased gives SHARE more buying power, and volunteer labor to package
the food helps to reduce the cost. Therefore, everyone who participates
helps themselves and others at the same time.



To get
signed up one must contact a site coordinator in their area. Picking up
the food is fast and easy and sign up for the next month can be done at
pick up time. However, sign up is limited by dates. We need time to
order the food and have it delivered, so call now and talk to your site
coordinator or the SHARE office and find out what is being offered for
June.



Many are
overwhelmed by the idea of doing two hours of community service
volunteering. However, what most don't realize is that they probably
already do a lot of things in their community that qualifies them to
receive the packages.



For more
information about SHARE or to find out where the closest site to your
location is, call the SHARE office in Oskaloosa at 800-344-1107 or
e-mail me at gosmith@iowatelecom.net.

 

GINA SMITH

SHARE

SE Iowa Developer

Oskaloosa