This article must strike a balance between optimism for the community we serve and the community that supports us (not always the same, though we’re very happy when someone tells us they’re making a financial contribution or donating time because they used to be a client and now they’re back on their feet): a balance between optimism and letting our communities know the challenges we face.
If you’ve ever tuned in to one of PBS’s ever-more frequent pledge drives, then you know it can be annoying for a nonprofit to always have their hand out or be enumerating its difficulties. Yet if we don’t let you know the facts that we often don’t have as many volunteers as we need for our Grocery Rescue program or that financial donations are at a low point for the year, our operation is threatened by our reluctance to bother you or appear always to be asking.
We’ve grown to meet the need in the community (not for the sake of growing) and with our emergency utility and housing funds are assisting some from sliding into deeper crisis. People don’t necessarily think of ShareNet as a crisis management or crisis prevention agency, but that’s in fact what we are. Imagine this: It’s dinner time, you and your kids are hungry, breakfast and lunch were makeshift or non-existent, and you don’t have anything to put on the table. One skipped meal turns into two, then into days of subsistence and declining health, not to mention quality of life.
This is exactly such a point that ShareNet comes in, and prevents hunger, stops lives from degrading, tides them over until the check comes, a job is found, a crisis is over. One of the challenges we face financially is that in an economy like the present one, crisis is sustained for longer periods and recovery is also longer and more difficult. ShareNet is not meant to be a maintenance program or for people who are able to purchase food but would prefer to put their dollars elsewhere.
It’s our goal to always be connecting with those who need us most. Periodically, we review how we do this and target certain groups. At the moment we’re talking with County Aging and Disabilities staff and focusing on indigent seniors in our community who are not making ends meet. If you are or know someone in this position, please contact us.
American Marine Bank has graciously agreed to conduct ShareNet’s School Supplies Drive. If you are a member of the community who cannot afford school supplies, please sign up in person at the Food Bank from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays or Fridays through Aug. 21 which will also be the deadline for donating supplies to be dropped off at American Marine Bank, 26563 Lindvog Road NE, Kingston, any time during bank hours.
Wondering about what to donate? Please consult the list of needs published by each school in our district. Distribution will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ShareNet on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at ShareNet. Please note this is a non-food bank day, so only our Thrift Store and the school supplies effort will be open that day.
