Nutrition - SHARE Food Program
Since 1986 SHARE has worked to create and serve a network of locally based community organizations engaged in self-help food distribution systems, economic development, community service and educational programs. SHARE provides to all individuals the opportunity to work together in service to assure that people meet one of their basic needs, that of food. SHARE is the only food program in the nation where people pay a small amount, complete two hours of community service, and receive food with a value of twice what they paid.
The scope and main function of SHARE is to locate nutritious food to feed the community and to encourage the community to become involved in serving others.
The SHARE Food Program had its first food distribution in October, 1986 serving only Philadelphia County with one food package. As of today SHARE is serving half of Pennsylvania, half of New Jersey, the state of Delaware, metro New York and the Eastern Shore of Maryland with as many as 100 food choices. We now serve up to 20,000 families a month through 390 Host Organizations.
SHARE became the lead agency in Philadelphia County in 1991 for the State Food Purchase Program in providing food to food cupboards, shelters, and soup kitchens. The State Food Program distributes monthly to about 517 food cupboards, about 64,000 households. Another program at this same time, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a food distribution program where we distribute commodity foods purchased by the government to the food cupboards participating in the State Food Purchase Program. Philabundance picks up these commodities and delivers them to our SHARE Center. The TEFAP items are distributed with the State Food Purchase Program.
The Greater Coalition Against Hunger joined SHARE in 2002. This organization brings together policy makers, community-based emergency food providers, public health and social service professionals, faith-based volunteers, students, and other concerned individuals to address hunger and food insecurity in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
In 2003 SHARE was approved as an Americorp Vista site and has two Vista personnel whose sole purpose is to develop host organizations and create community. Then in 2005 SHARE was approved as an Americorp special site, and had 15 Americorp youth at SHARE during November and December, our busiest time of the year.
SHARE continues to serve a network of locally-based community organization engaged in self-help food distribution systems, economic development, community service, and educational programs. SHARE provides the resources and technology to build and support these self-sustaining community institutions in which all may participate, serve, and lead with dignity.
For more information and to view our monthly Menu selections of food packages, specials and grocery items, please refer to our website, http://www.sharefoodprogram.org.