1	SHARE Food at St. Matthew People Helping People “Open to Everyone” Run by St. Matthew Ministry Volunteers
2	What is SHARE? SHARE (Self-Help and Resource Exchange)--a food purchasing & delivery system devoted to providing affordable, high quality food to those willing to help themselves and others. It is a nationwide program established in 1983. Share Food of Central Illinois serves 170+ host sites, one of which is at St. Matthew. Food units contain frozen meat and/or fresh produce & are available for purchase once a month.
3	What SHARE is not! It’s NOT. . . a government program It’s NOT. . . a welfare program It’s NOT. . . a handout It’s NOT. . . free, salvage or donated food SHARE is an opportunity to save money on food! SHARE buyers in Peoria purchase food in bulk directly from growers, brokers, and packaging plants. Its reasonable prices are the result of substantial volunteer efforts.
4	SHARE Food is “Open to Everyone” There are no income guidelines, no eligibility requirements, no membership fees & no gimmicks. It is “People Helping People”-a large group of volunteers who make sure that quality food packages are distributed each and every month. They promote volunteer service and partnerships with other community volunteer driven organizations.
5	What Are My Choices? Available food choices change each month Classic Unit--3 meat items, 6 produce and 1 bonus item $17 ($15 + $2 trucking) Deluxe Unit--5 meat items, 9 produce and 1 bonus item $24 ($22 +$2 trucking) Fruit and Veggie Unit--9 Produce items-- $12 ($11 + $1 trucking) Extra value items (Price + $1 trucking)
6	Or Create Your Own Package! Individual meat items are available singly or in multiples For example: Order a Fruit and Veggie package with (1) #2 Meat and (4) #5 Meats and (1) Extra Value item or Order a Classic Package and (2) Extra Value Items or Order any combination you like To learn what food items are being offered this month, click on Peoria Food Share link on last page
7	Monthly Order Deadline (Closeout) Place Food Orders On distribution day for next month or By Friday noon on Close-out Day at St. Matthew Office--weekdays 8-3:30pm (see schedule for each month’s close-out date) Food must be paid for in advance by check or cash. Include phone number where you can be reached. Customers pledge to perform 2 hours of volunteer work somewhere in the community on the honor system. Shut-ins may use prayer to meet the requirement.
8	Distribution Day Procedures
9	2009 Deadlines
10	If you are having financial problems. . . SHARE St Matthew has received donations that allows the program to fund free food units or to defray the trucking costs. If you need temporary help, please contact the SHARE program at the parish office.
11	How can you give Volunteer Service? Doing yard work for elderly or handicapped, babysitting for a young mother, visiting a housebound neighbor. Working with Scouts, Little League, Boys and Girls Clubs, volunteering at a local church or school, helping out at a food pantry, etc. . . Working on special projects or needs in your community, gathering resources and doing something to meet the need. Help SHARE by helping at a host site, making reminder calls, using vehicle during distribution, promoting it by distributing newspapers, brochures, etc.
12	Have questions or need information? www.sharefood-peoria.com for information on each month’s food offerings Kathy or Joe Ahearn 217-356-3279 or Carol Miller 217-355-8413 or St. Matthew Office 217-359-4224 or Peoria Main Headquarters at 1-800-637-5508