Governor Granholm Recognizes SHARE Volunteers’ Contributions

Sept. 21, 2010 - PRLog -- Michigan State Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. give tribute to SHARE in recognition of its 25th anniversary. SHARE is a nonprofit volunteer-run food buying club that welcomes everyone to save money on groceries.

“May this organization continue to serve those in need and bring communities together throughout the state of Michigan,” states a certificate of tribute signed by both the governor and lt. governor.

Every month more than 200 volunteers in 15 communities in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan make SHARE possible. SHARE would like to thank all the wonderful volunteers who give so much time to their communities through SHARE.

When SHARE began in 1985, the need for the program was widespread, and now the need for families to stretch their budgets is equal if not greater. In its last fiscal year alone, SHARE members saved over $1.5 million on groceries. “Even after people get back to work after a lay-off, they are having trouble finding jobs with comparable pay. People want and need alternatives to help their own resources work better for them,” said Paulette Flynn, SHARE’s executive director. “SHARE can uniquely respond to the economic crisis because everyone is welcome to use SHARE. There are no fees or eligibility requirements to purchase food through the organization.”

SHARE’s goals for the future center around becoming more convenient for more people. Executive Director Flynn says, “SHARE needs to keep growing so that more and more people who need SHARE will discover it.” Another important goal for the organization is to use more regionally grown food. “The more we can support our own community, the better,” says Flynn. The organization often distributes Michigan grown apples.

Building community is also central to SHARE’s mission, and by gathering people together for common work whose paths might not otherwise meet, new connections are made, new community leaders born and more families are served with care and compassion.

SHARE invites the public to get involved either by purchasing food, volunteering with SHARE, or by making a donation to the SHARE Cares Food Fund to help feed families in need. For more information, call 800-548-2124 or visit www.sharewi.org.

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SHARE's nonprofit, volunteer-run food buying club helps families save 30-50% on supermarket quality food. Everyone is welcome. For nearly 25 years, SHARE volunteers have brought savings on food to hundreds of communities in the Upper Midwest.