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St. John Launches Share Program

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By LAURA CONE The Sun

Published: March 4, 2009

Allie Maiocchi of Sun City Center is always looking for ways to save a dime. She began participating in the SHARE Florida Food Network two years ago in Clearwater, which operates similar to a food co-op.

Members of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Ruskin recently launched the program in Sun City Center. Maiocchi attended training at St. John for SHARE volunteers Feb. 24.

"I have a full-time job but I still can use the help," said Maiocchi, who will be in charge of sorting food according to orders in Sun City Center. "I am always trying to find a way to stay ahead of my bills."

Trisha Saalbach of Sun City Center, who is helping to coordinate the SHARE program at St. John, said people may save as much as 50 percent on frozen meats, fresh fruits and vegetables. She said the nonprofit program is geared for people with limited income, but is open to anyone.

People may place orders March 7 and 14 from 10 a.m. to noon in the kiosk area of the atrium in the main complex of the Sun City Center Community Association building on North Pebble Beach. Their first delivery date is March 28 in Room 3 of Community Hall on South Pebble Beach.

"We strongly encourage two hours of volunteer service," Saalbach said. "People who come to buy show us a piece of paper that says they have worked two hours in volunteer service somewhere. The service can be for SHARE for any other group or organization."

With Sun City Center folks being so volunteer minded, Saalbach said the volunteer requirement should not be a barrier for most people.

While the Ruskin United Methodist Church also operates SHARE, which is a program of Cornerstone Family Ministries, the church had limited success drawing people from Sun City Center.

"People have a mental block because they don't want to go west of I-75," Saalbach said. "It's sort of like out in the boon docks, too far out for them."

She said having a SHARE program in Sun City Center will make it more accessible to people on golf carts. The pick-up site will be the Community Hall until workers complete the new East campus of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church at 1105 E. Del Webb Blvd. Construction is set to be complete by June.

"Sweetbay went out of business and so the only grocery shopping in Sun City Center is at Winn-Dixie or Publix," she said. "Prices are going up and up. This is a distinct advantage for people on limited income and limited transportation."
Saalbach said, like a co-op, the SHARE program is able to pass on savings because of their buying power.

"We will be right here in the center of town," she said. "We are working diligently to involve all people from different houses of worship."
Maiocchi said she thinks the program will be a hit in Sun City Center. They will also try to serve people living in Wimauma and the surrounding areas, she said.

"I think it's an awesome idea," said Maiocchi, a member of St. John. "I think it will be helpful to people with a fixed income. They can come on their golf carts. It will be convenient if they don't have a car."

For more information, call Patricia Saalbach at (813) 760-2960 or e-mail her at TSaalbach1@tampabay.rr.com.

Editor Laura Cone may be reached at lcone@mediageneral.com.

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