SHARE Iowa offers food at affordable prices

OSKALOOSA ? With rising prices and lower incomes, it is becoming more and more apparent that we are living in trying times. Many are struggling to pay their bills and put nutritious food on their table. Large employers are cutting jobs. Food stamp enrollment numbers are increasing, while benefits are decreasing. Despite pushes for a healthier wellbeing, obesity is at its highest levels in years.

What can a person do during these trying times? The answer can be as simple as contacting a SHARE Iowa site.

SHARE Iowa Inc. is an Iowa-based, volunteer-run food distribution system and has provided individuals and families with nutritious and affordable food packages for nearly 23 years.

Through this volunteer distribution system, households can take advantage of up to a 50 percent savings on their groceries in comparison to retail prices. A typical SHARE Iowa food package consists of frozen meats, grocery items and fresh produce at a price of $25.

SHARE Iowa purchases top quality food products, including major brands. By using a volunteer non-profit network, SHARE has very little overhead enabling noticeable savings to be passed onto those who are serious about stretching their hard-earned dollars.

SHARE will be offering a variety of different food packages in April. One package that will appeal to many is the Easter Dinner Package. The package includes a 2-pound all-natural ham, a 2.5-pound USDA chuck roast, frozen broccoli, an 18-ounce lemon cake roll and a selection of fresh seasonal produce ? so fresh you might think we picked them ourselves ? for the economical price of $30.

Other packages and prices can be found on SHARE Iowa?s website at www.shareiowa.org or by contacting SHARE Iowa at 800-344-1107.

Hundreds of families rely on SHARE to help stretch their hard earned dollars, but there are many Iowans who are unaware that SHARE is in their community and is for everyone. With more than 90 SHARE locations across the state, SHARE is a valuable resource right in your own neighborhood. To contact the SHARE site in Fairfield, call Claudia Greenig at 472-3569,