Our Work

     The SHARE Food Network distributes high quality, affordable nutritious food as a way to build community and strengthen families.  Organized through 320 churches and community groups, participants perform two hours of volunteer service and pay $18.00 monthly to purchase groceries worth approximately $40.00 - $45.00.
 
     People are empowered through SHARE (Self Help And Resource Exchange) to stretch their family's food budget, access information on health and nutrition, and develop partnerships to prevent hunger in communities.

     Established in 1990, the SHARE Food Network provides approximately 13,500 food packages each month.  By combining buying power and volunteerism, SHARE is able to offer quality foods and substantial savings to it's participants. 

Our Mission
 

    

     For $18.00 plus 2 hours of volunteer service, anyone may receive a SHARE package full of fresh vegetables, fruits, staple items and frozen meats.  The same amount of food would cost approximately $40.00 - $45.00 at the supermarket.  With SHARE, participants can save 50%-60% on their groceries!
 

 

     Volunteer service is the heart of SHARE's work.  SHARE participants perform at least two hours of volunteer service monthly to strengthen their own community.  Therefore, every person that participates with SHARE is a volunteer.

     Many churches and collaborating organizations send volunteer groups to the SHARE warehouse Center to provide their members an opportunity to give back to the community.  Students from all over the region volunteer at SHARE to receive their community service hours.  SHARE is an enjoyable and worthwhile way to support the community.

     Whether you belong to a scout troop, are a visiting teacher from Japan, or a student looking for a way to fulfill your school-required community service hours, SHARE is a fun and fulfilling place to volunteer. 
 

    

     In addition to its volunteers, SHARE depends on solid relationships with hundreds of collaborating organizations to carry out its community mission.  Some organizations act as SHARE Host Organizations, while others, such as social service agencies act as referral sites, disseminating important information which connects their clients to SHARE.

     SHARE recognized the need for more health and nutrition information in local communities, and established the SHARE Health Project in 1994.  The SHARE Health Project was seen as a natural extension of its mission to build community and strengthen families.

     The SHARE Health Project operates on the premise that people can enhance their health by being involved in their communities and helping others.  The training that transforms volunteers into community "Health Advocates" is the center of the program.  This training workshop is called REACH - (Responsibility, Education, and Action for Community Health).  Once trained, Health Advocates serve their SHARE Host Organizations by providing health information and organizing health promotion activities to support the needs and interest of their communities.

Our History

     SHARE (Self Help And Resource Exchange) was formed in 1983 in San Diego, California by Deacon Carl Shelton and the Catholic Diocese.  Deacon Shelton believed it was possible to implement a self-help approach to meeting the food needs in interested communities.

     SHARE-DC was launched in April, 1990 by Associated Catholic Charities and the Knights of Malta. SHARE-DC serves communities in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

     SHARE-DC is an affiliate of World SHARE.  One of the fundamental values of World SHARE is that it is considered a basic human right for all people to have adequate access to food, water, shelter, material assistance, human relationships, spiritual expression, physical safety, good health, education, and an environment conducive to their well-being.  A second and equally compelling fundamental value embodied by World SHARE is that each individual has a vital contribution to make to the world.  Together with 17 SHARE affiliates across the United States and programs in Guatemala and Mexico, SHARE-DC strives to help people make a difference for themselves and their neighbors.

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