NEW HOPE LIFE WORKS is now a host site for the SHARE Food Program. SHARE means “Self Help And Resource Exchange”. This program is available in various parts of NY, NJ, PA and DE. There are no eligibility requirements to participate in the program. In order to enjoy the benefits one must contribute 2 hours of community service time per share purchased per month. There are different types of shares that can be purchased, (value, vegetarian, turkey dinner etc.) with each 2 hours of community service time contributed. The offering changes each month. Please refer to the order form for the month for details.

This is not a sales pitch or a pyramid scheme. It is the combined purchasing power and volunteerism that are the keys to this program. This is completely a volunteer effort on our part so if there is site closer to your home please sign up there. If you already have more than enough you may want to gift a share or some community service time to someone who needs it or to your local food pantry.

I personally endorse this program as my first experience with SHARE was in Sullivan County, New York in 1991. I had packed my two toddlers up and left a marriage in 1989 and after 3 job layoffs in my first two years of single parenting I found myself unemployed for almost 6 months. I picked up part time work at the local United Way and also worked as an Advocate for Youth at Risk when I finally found a new full-time job 20 miles away. The starting salary for the new job was $14,040.00 at a time when $17,000.00 annual income for a family of three was considered poverty level…but at least I had health benefits. I worked my full-time job and a part time job and even with state subsidized day care there was still never enough money to pay the bills. In 1991 it cost $12.00 to purchase a share. I used to buy 3 a month and my community service was hanging art shows for local struggling artists...community service can be fun !!! In eleven months I was able to make it on my own. I was promoted at my full-time job, the artists started to pay me to hang their shows and I became a member of the Board of Directors for the local Art Society. SHARE has a way of creating opportunity.

Please see our calendar for the deadline to participate each month. The food distribution date can also be found on our calendar. Unless other arrangements are made in advance your share will have to be picked up here at New Hope Life Works on the distribution day. Community Service must be completed in the month the share is purchased. (We can use help here implementing the program as well.) You will need to provide a signed note from the recipient of your community service at the time of pick up. Please feel free to email us at info@newhopelifeworks.com or sharefood@entre-net.net with your questions. If you provide a phone number, and a good time to call, we will call you back. The monthly food menu for MAY can be found at SHARE's website.

Below are some dates to put on your calendar:

Food order date - due by noon	Food distributation date
Monday, May 04, 2009	Saturday, May 16, 2009
Monday, June 08, 2009	Saturday, June 20, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009	Saturday, July 25, 2009

These dates are subject to change.

Always and All Ways,

Mary Spencer