March 19, 2024

SHARE Iowa food program to offer significant food discounts

Local churches and Salvation Army to offer program

The saying “no good deed goes unnoticed,” takes on a new meaning with the SHARE Iowa food program. The nonprofit organization sells quality food at a discount to Iowans who recently volunteered two hours of their time for a good cause.

Newton SHARE will return to Newton from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. April 22 with the Newton Ministerial Association as its sponsor. Along with the Salvation Army, 10 churches are also participating in the program. The program offers savings of up to 50 percent on food in exchange for two hours of volunteer service a month.

The first distribution day will be at First United Methodist Church in Newton. Ordering for April will begin on March 27 through April 7.

Michael Kacmarynski, SHARE Iowa Community Developer, said volunteers in the Newton community decided to do away with the program in January 2016.

Kacmarynski said churches and volunteers in Newton are excited to see this program back.

Those looking to put in some volunteer hours can let their local Salvation Army or participating church know, and they can pick from foods, such as, pork chops, fish, cheese packs and breakfast sandwiches. Kacmarynski said the food items rotate often and can be found on a menu.

The program runs off the honor system, but if someone says they volunteered at a church, then SHARE Iowa will verify that. Kacamarynski said other ways to earn volunteer hours include, offering a helping hand to a neighbor, caring for a sick friend, volunteering with the elderly or with those in need.

SHARE Iowa has a mission of bringing people together to build and strengthen community through volunteer service by providing access to good nutritious food at affordable prices.

“We don’t want to judge or discriminate,” Kacamarynski said. “There is a lot of passion going into this program from our side and from the Newton side.”

Contact Newton churches during office hours to see if they are participating or contact SHARE Iowa at 641-673-4000.

Contact Kayla Langmaid at 641-792-3121 ext. 6513 or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com