Guest Author - Pam Garlick

Since I have been neglecting writing about volunteer opportunities, today I’m going to make up for it by telling about one of the finest organizations I’ve ever had the good fortune of working with. SHARE, Self-Help and Resource Exchange is for anyone who eats.

That is the simplified version of how they describe themselves. But there is nothing simple about this program at all. At least not to the many people who have benefitted from it. However, before I tell you more about that, I need to tell you how I came to know this program.

In 1994, when I first got together with my husband, he was driving for a company that picked up food from SHARE at their Philadelphia location. I was not only impressed by how organized they were, but also by their entire philosophy. This food is not meant for people from a specific economic group, rather for anyone who is willing to give two hours of their time to better their community. This can be by formally volunteering for a specific program, or for reaching out and helping an individual with some kind of need.

As I said, I was impressed with SHARE’s philosophy. I was even more impressed when I was to see first hand the compassion of the people running SHARE. The Executive Director at that time, Stevanna Wynn, had taken quite a liking to my husband because instead of complaining as some truck drivers did when there was a delay, he would often chip in and help package some of the food for the SHARE shipments.

However, she noticed a change in him at one point, noting how tired he seemed. I, too, noticed that and other symptoms, and insisted he see our doctor. Thankfully, by getting to the doctor when he did he was able to forestall more serious problems. The doctor ordered him to cut down on his overtime and stress. Of course, when you need to pay your bills, cutting down on money, usually only adds to the stress.

Stevanna ‘s grace and compassion was such that she often sent home extra SHARE packages with my husband for our use. That was when I realized just how good the food in them was, and what a bargain at $30 plus two hours of community service. I vowed to her I would tell as many people as I could about SHARE.

A little over five years later I helped set up a SHARE program through my church and I was able to see many people benefit from the program. It is not just volunteers who benefit by their purchase. Countless unseen people’s lives are touched by the many people who give two (often more) hour of their time to get a SHARE package. And often it snowballs, as the recipient of another person’s kindness then gives two hours of their time to get a package for themselves.

Today SHARE packages are a bargain even though they have gone up a little in price. They also have several special packages available, too.

If you do not have a SHARE program in your community, and would like to start one, or just want more information, I urge you to check the link below. People there will help guide you to your closest SHARE distribution site.