S.H.A.R.E.

Self Help And Resource Exchange

S.H.A.R.E. is a food program for all those who want to stretch their food budgets farther. Each participant receives about $35 worth of food for $15 and two hours of community service.

The food package includes meat, fruit, vegetables, and staple items. You must order two weeks before distrubution day. Distribution day typically takes place on St. Luke’s campus on the 4th Saturday of the month.

Volunteers are needed from 8:30AM- 12 Noon.

What is SHARE?
SHARE is a nation-wide, non-profit organization which offers savings on high-quality food. SHARE stands for Self-Help and Resource Exchange. The food package includes meat/poultry, fruit, vegetables, and staple items. Until recently, it was mandatory to volunteer two hours in community programmes to receive SHARE food.

The initial goal of the organization was to build communities through volunteer work and make nutritious food accessible to all. However, as interests in this program dwindle, SHARE was forced to drop the mandatory volunteer time and just try and stay in existence relying solely on food orders. However, St. Luke’s staff and their family and friends can volunteer two hours per month of their time for community service if they so wish.

Who can participate in SHARE?
SHARE is "for everyone and anyone" who would like to get grocery-quality food for half the price. Membership is not required like in a typical cooperative. Participants can order food as often as they like.

How does SHARE work?
SHARE is built on the principles of a food cooperative – a people-centered, rather than a profit- centered, business. SHARE is supported by Corner Stone Family Ministries (www.cornerstonefamilyministries.org) and TECO energy company - a Tampa based company. SHARE's unique blend of its direct contact with national food distributors, its non-profit status and staff of volunteers helps it keep its prices cheaper than discount buying clubs and grocery stores. Volunteers help in keeping the overhead cost down by sorting, packing and boxing up food items.

There are several distribution centers throughout Florida. The SHARE website (www.shareflorida.org) has easy access to the addresses of all the distribution centers in Orlando. Food is ordered once a month and it can be picked up from the distribution centers where the orders were placed.

SHARE @ St. Luke's
SHARE has been one of the outreach ministries - under Deploy – of St. Luke’s for 16 years now. David Risher (407 765 16 07) is the coordinator at St. Luke's. Distribution day typically takes place on St. Luke’s campus on the 4th Saturday of the month.

What does SHARE offer?
The following is a sample of the May 2008 menu:

• 2.6 lbs. Chicken Thighs
• 1 lb State Fair All Beef Mini Corn Dogs
• 1.7 lbs. Split Chicken Breasts
• 1.2 lbs. Ham Steak
• 1 lb. Bacon
• Plus a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables!
  

The above basic package’s retail value is $36 or more, but through SHARE, you pay only $18! The monthly basic package contains five frozen meat selections, plus a variety of seven fresh fruits and vegetables.

Thinking outside the box with SHARE
In addition to saving money, SHARE can be used in a variety of creative ways.

• Church picnics
• Organization lunches
• Family reunions
• Home parties
• Donation (Coalition for the Homeless, WODB, Family Assistance etc.)
  

Dates for 2008:

Contact Mariam Mengistie for more information