Directors Message: The End of an Era

By Paulette Flynn

Next month SHARE will mark the end of an era. After nearly 27 years of operation, the “Classic” SHARE program will retire and May will be our final food distribution.  The May order form will be your last chance to purchase food from SHARE. SHARE's Mobile Market, which serves Metro Milwaukee, will continue until at least June 30th.

We come to this decision with heavy hearts. SHARE has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and has an amazing network of volunteers. Yet, rising prices and changes in market forces make it impossible for us to cover our overhead expenses. We chose to retire the program now while we still have the resources needed to meet all of our obligations and to allow an orderly completion of our work.

Some of you may remember a time when WalMart did not sell food and Aldi and other low cost food stores did not have much reach. Steadily these stores recognized the opportunity of marketing to people who need to stretch their food dollars, expanding to fill the gap between regular grocery store prices and affordable prices. Now, reasonably priced food is available through normal retail channels in most communities. This change in the market place has improved access to food, but makes SHARE’s system obsolete. We simply can’t compete with the buying power and convenience of giant retailers like WalMart.

What no one can put a price on is the commitment and dedication of our SHARE volunteers who stood with us in that gap to make sure that people got the food they need. From host site leaders to board members, to warehouse and office volunteers, everything we do has been touched by capable volunteer hands.  As important as the food itself, SHARE volunteers provided a friendly voice, made home deliveries for shut-ins and regularly gave up their own food if they met someone in need. With honor and integrity they managed the sale and distribution of nearly four million dollars of food every year. That’s a lot of responsibility for a team of volunteers, inspired by a lot of love for community!

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month. This will be the last time we can publicly thank all the wonderful SHARE volunteers who brought life to our organization.  Please join me in saluting these fine people for their years of service. They embody the “Spirit of SHARE” and it is their faces we see when we speak of the SHARE Family. The legacy of SHARE is their story; a tribute to people working together to do more than any of us ever could do alone.

I also want to acknowledge the SHARE staff for all their hard work and service to the community.  This fine, talented team is dedicated to the mission of SHARE and comes to work every day to make the world a better place.  They always make me proud.

It is said that all good things must come to an end.  It is has been both an honor and privilege to serve our SHARE Family through the years.  I am so grateful for the wonderful relationships and opportunities this work has provided.  I wish you all the very best. Godspeed!

Mission Statement

SHARE brings people together to build and strengthen community through volunteer service. SHARE enables communities to respond to basic needs and provides access to good, nutritious food at reduced cost through a self-help distribution system. SHARE fosters the dignity and self-worth of each person and acts from a commitment to serve the common good.

SHARE's New Mobile Market

The Mobile Market serves over a dozen Metro Milwaukee locations with SHARE's great savings on quality foods. No pre-orders are required—all you have to do is show up and shop. Visit our Mobile Market page for complete information!

Let's Stay in Touch!  

Sign up for our free monthly Friends of SHARE Email Newsletter, "Like" SHARE's page on Facebook© or follow us on Twitter! We send out our email newsletter the week of our monthly ordering deadlines so you’ll never miss out on SHARE’s delicious deals for savvy shoppers. Plus it includes recipes, volunteer photos, budgeting and nutrition articles, and more. And we're always updating our Facebook© page!