Self Help And Resource Exchange Program

Recently widowed and bringing up her 11-year-old grandson, Darlene Shafer is on a tight budget. To make ends meet, Shafer, 66, is taking part in Placentia's SHARE program, which helps people of modest means buy groceries. "It doubles your money. You get twice as much than if you bought it at the grocery store," she said. Shafer gives something in return: She volunteers to help children with their homework at a program at Placentia Presbyterian Church.

Recently widowed and bringing up her 11-year-old grandson, Darlene Shafer is on a tight budget. To make ends meet, Shafer, 66, is taking part in Placentia's SHARE program, which helps people of modest means buy groceries. "It doubles your money. You get twice as much than if you bought it at the grocery store," she said. Shafer gives something in return: She volunteers to help children with their homework at a program at Placentia Presbyterian Church.

The principle is simple: Get people to pool their resources and buy food in bulk, and you'll help those with limited resources purchase more food for their money. Require participants in the purchasing pool to do some volunteer work for the food, and you improve the community they live in too.

The principle is simple: Get people to pool their resources and buy food in bulk, and you'll help those with limited resources purchase more food for their money. Require participants in the purchasing pool to do some volunteer work for the food, and you improve the community they live in too.