SHARE-ing Food for Good

The CommunityAid Foundation is elated to support Project SHARE’s valuable work in Carlisle and the surrounding region. They play a crucial role in supporting those struggling with food insecurity, and, together, we have made a tangible impact in our community.

Project SHARE seeks “to reduce food insecurity for neighbors in the greater Carlisle area by offering access to nutritious food, programs and a support network that promotes self-sufficiency, fosters dignity and instills hope.” Holding to the values of compassion, community, and integrity, they make a tangible impact for over 15,000 people annually.

Last year, Project SHARE distributed over 1.5 million pounds of food, about half of which was fresh produce. Focused on sustainability and consumer health, they strive to give the best food possible, with 83% of their food being classified as healthy according to SWAP (Supporting Wellness at Pantries).

Food is given away to those in need through multiple programs, including a farmstand, SHARE the Health Boxes, Re-Entry Bags, and Weekend Nutrition Power Packs. They also have monthly distributions through their food pantry, provide breakfast and lunch for students during the summer, and offer cooking classes. Together, these programs support an entire community of individuals and families struggling with food insecurity.

Project SHARE’s Warehouse

Programs with Purpose

Project SHARE’s monthly distribution program provides approximately one week’s worth of groceries to households in need. Clients can either walk through the food pantry, selecting their own produce and goods, or elect to use the drive-thru. Product quantities are determined based on the number of individuals living in the household.

Sourcing food from gleaning activities, food donations, and wholesale purchasing, Project SHARE’s Farmstand enables clients to choose fresh fruits and vegetables, and it provides them with milk, bread, and eggs. This program supplements their monthly distributions and provides a safety net for those who do not necessarily meet the income qualifications for that program.

Both the Summer Feeding 4 Kids program and Weekend Nutrition Power Packs provide food for local youth. During the week, low-income students receive either free or reduced-price meals at school. These programs offer additional meals to meet the needs of those students during the weekends or summer. Last year, the programs provided nearly 80,000 nutritious meals to kids in need.

SHARE the Health Boxes “supports the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed) population” for neighbors who need a little extra support. Boxes include ingredients to make two to three healthy meals.

Re-entry Bags are bundles of shelf-stable food that are distributed to those living on the street, are a part of a rehab program, or are re-entering society after incarceration. Items include pouches of chicken and tuna, microwavable pasta, fruit cups, and more.

Project SHARE offers a range of cooking classes targeted at students, adults, and families. Kids in the Kitchen educates local youth, providing information about nutrition as well as developing important life skills, like time management. Slice of the Month utilizes the Farmstand to teach adults delicious recipes that they can make using the food items freely available to them. The Sharing Table brings families together, offering age-appropriate ways to include children in the food-making process; attendees have the opportunity to share a meal together. All of these programs are free to attend.

Available Food Options

Fueling Food and More

In 2025, Project SHARE received $23,000 through three grants from the CommunityAid Foundation as well as other support from our LIFTS, Care Card, and bin programs.

We provided $10,000 to fill in gaps between food that is donated and rescued in the food system. Despite a significant inflow of food from multiple organizations, Project SHARE spends a substantial amount annually purchasing food so that it can meet the needs of neighbors struggling with hunger and food insecurity. They were able to stretch these dollars by bulk ordering and working with affiliate organizations, helping to generate an even greater impact for those in the community.

We also provided $5,000 to provide students with food over the weekends through Project SHARE’s weekend nutrition powerpack program. This supports not only the students but also provides financial relief for their parents or guardians. This grant helped cover about 1/10 of the annual cost of this program.

Our third grant helped renovate Project SHARE’s conference room. The furniture and paint help to create a more welcoming environment for clients, especially those new to Project SHARE’s programs. The room is used for initial and annual meetings with clients, for community classes, and for staff meetings. We were blessed to be able to provide $8,000 for these renovations.

Our Impact through Project SHARE

Staff members attended LIFTS Workshops, which provide best practices to improve individual and organizational capacity. Last year, they attended one titled “Fundraising and Friendraising—Simple Things, Big Impact,” which was led by Kathy Anderson-Martin and provided real-world examples of how personal relationships can powerfully shape our ability to make an impact on those around us.

Additionally, Project SHARE receives Care Cards, which they pass on to their clients. They helped us distribute nearly $1,000 in these store vouchers to our neighbors in need last year.

Finally, through our bin program, Project SHARE receives unrestricted funds to support the programs or projects that need it most. By trading in clothing and items they don’t need, they both receive compensation and help fuel the CommunityAid thrift stores, which reinvest proceeds back into their organization and many others.

We are so grateful to be able to support great nonprofits like Project SHARE and blessed by their critical work in our community. Are you interested in learning more about Project SHARE? You can do so on their website: https://www.projectsharepa.org/. You can check out other organizations we support here.