The Story of SHARE

Carl Shelton, a very successful businessman, felt a calling by the LORD, which eventually led to his leaving the corporate world to become an ordained Catholic Deacon. Carl Shelton spent many months with Mother Teresa in India, eventually returning to San Diego, California with a vision of starting a food program that would be non-charity, no government involvement, and self sustaining, with the emphasis on "people helping people." The task seemed impossible. However in February of 1983 SHARE was born. The first SHARE distribution was 7,642 units and was distributed at the Jack Murphy Stadium parking lot in San Diego, California. The fundamental essence of SHARE is its commitment to our spiritual life. It is based on acceptance and the belief that all people have something valuable to contribute. SHARE begins by offering a food program that is accessible and inclusive. It is a starting point for bringing people together based on a common need. As people work together to satisfy the basic physical hunger, we are in essence feeding a hunger that goes by another name. The hunger to belong and connect, with other human beings in a meaningful way. To many times we have witnessed a painful search for a hospitable place where we can be accepted and where community can be found.

SHARE practices the art of hospitality. SHARE does not place its focus on changing people nor does it attempt to win people over or reject them if they don't fit in. SHARE is inclusive - SHARE is building our community by working together. In April 1989, SHARE Colorado joined the SHARE national team and distributed its first share. The first month SHARE Colorado distributed over 8000 packages and over 288,000 pounds of food. Currently, SHARE Colorado distributes through 12 warehouses in Colorado, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska. With the commitment of over 3500 volunteers, SHARE serves over 11,000 individuals and families every month. Over the first 15 years of SHARE Colorado's operation, they distributed 83.8 million pounds of food, served over 4 million SHARE packages, and volunteers have contributed over 8 million hours of time to their communities. SHARE participants have also saved over $57 million on their groceries.