Question about Share our Strength

**ConsciouslyFrugal** · 07-03-2007, 04:16 PM

Question for you brilliant folks--

Several years ago, when I was an AmeriCorps VISTA, I used to get a bag of free food each month through Share our Strength. SoS gave anyone who volunteered a few hours a week a free bag of food each month. It was a great way to extend my scarily small VISTA stipend.

I went on the SoS site and I can't find any information about this program nor are there any listings for local food distribution on the web. It seems they give grants to local food banks now. Is anyone else familiar with this program? Has it been axed?

Thanks!
CF

**brainyblonde** · 07-06-2007, 10:44 PM

Are you sure it was Share Our Strength and not S.H.A.R.E (Self-Help and Resource Exchange)? We used to get a bag of groceries for $15 plus 2 hours of community service per month. (They also accepted food stamps, I think.) The program had been sponsored here by Catholic Charities or Knights of Columbus, but then they seemed to withdraw support. I haven't been able to find a location nearby in several years. I would love to start purchasing these packages again. They were a great value, and really helped stretch the food budget.

**ConsciouslyFrugal** · 07-07-2007, 07:11 PM

SHARE! I think you're right. You're a genius. Thank you! I'll look and see if they still have the program available.

Gracias!

**ConsciouslyFrugal** · 07-12-2007, 03:55 AM

Ok, thanks to Ms. Fabulously Brainy, I was able to find several S.H.A.R.E. sites (most located on the East Coast). Because of new site rules, I'm not allowed to link my blog, but if you'd like the addy, PM me and I'll give you the info.

You can also just type in S.H.A.R.E. or Self-Help and Resource Exchange and your area into a search engine. Since it's not a huge program with a lot of internet hits, you might have to sift through a few pages. Area food banks or houses of worship will also be able to tell you.

The saddest thing is that it's almost non-existant out here on the West Coast, where it originated. But, it's a great program and can really help extend the grocery budget.

xo,
CF