Share Iowa opens new Osky host site

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November 16, 2009

By ANDY GOODELL The Oskaloosa Herald Mon Nov 16, 2009, 10:17 AM CST

OSKALOOSA — This is good food for good people.

With their hub on South Seventh Street in Oskaloosa, Share Iowa helps distribute reasonably priced food to families and individuals throughout the Midwest. In September, the organization opened its second host site in Oskaloosa at the Evangelical Church, 1513 S. Market St. Host site coordinator Kim Anderson said they have received food package orders from 31 area families this month.

“We wanted to begin ministry to reach out to people of Oskaloosa,” said Kim Anderson, host site coordinator. “With the economy now, every little bit helps out. But, Share is not just for needy people. It’s for everybody.”

As a host site for the food distributor, the church gathers food package orders and helps promote Share Iowa’s mission of encouraging volunteerism.

Volunteer work for the organization can be done in numerous ways, according to Share Iowa Director Becky Newman. She said volunteers offer a minimum of two hours of their time per month when participating with the organization, but many do a lot more.

“You may have someone that’s helping their neighbor, visiting a shut-in, babysitting, helping their church,” she said. “The list is endless. If we didn’t have volunteers, we couldn’t operate.”

In Oskaloosa, there are about 30 faithful volunteers from local churches.

When asked why the average person should get involved with Share Iowa, Newman’s answer was clear.

“It builds stronger communities,” said Newman. “We have a self-help approach. It’s the way this country was founded upon.”

Share Iowa food is by no means second rate, said Newman. They buy from the same venders grocery stores do, she said. Much of their food is found locally, added Newman.

“Sometimes our venders are Fairway and Hy-Vee, right out of Oskaloosa,” said Newman. “We are in no competition with the grocers. We only do this once a month. The local grocers are our friends.”

To get involved with Share Iowa, call 1-800-344-1107 or visit www.shareiowa.org.

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Herald City Editor Andy Goodell can be reached at news2@oskyherald.com

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