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Sharing Center reports rising demand, seeks modest village help for site expansion
Summary
The Sharing Center told the Village of Salem Lakes board its client numbers climbed from roughly 1,400 when the director started to about 7,000 in 2024, and asked staff to continue evaluating a small adjacent parcel and retention-wall options so the nonprofit can expand at its current location.
The Sharing Center, a crisis and basic-needs provider serving Kenosha County’s west end, told the Village of Salem Lakes board that client demand continues to rise and that local partners should plan for growing need, especially for housing and winter assistance programs.
Sharon Palmeville, executive director of the Sharing Center, said the nonprofit served roughly 1,400 people a year when she began more than a decade ago; service contacts rose to about 7,000 in 2024, and 2025 is tracking higher. She told the board much of the demand reflects mounting housing and food costs and that many clients are employed in essential but low-wage jobs.
Palmeville described ongoing work with local partners and the county affordable-housing task force and outlined the Center’s near-term programs: an Aug. 1 back-to-school drive for roughly 400 rural children, a winter-gear distribution in October, holiday meals for approximately 3,000 West End residents in November–December, and a holiday-gift program serving roughly 700–900 rural children. She also said some clients who cannot find services in Kenosha have begun seeking help on the west end.
On the capital side, the Sharing Center reported preliminary architectural work for a modest expansion at its current site, noting a nearby strip of non-buildable land adjacent to the Center that could be part of a plan if the village is willing to discuss terms. The Center said engineering indicated a potential retention-wall solution but warned a full 10-foot wall would compromise the retention basin; staff and the Center agreed further engineering is needed and that a shorter wall (about five feet) may be feasible. Village staff said they will continue to consult with the Sharing Center about engineering options and possible limited village support.
Palmeville also noted the Center receives no federal funding directly but that changes to federal programs such as Medicaid, WIC, and FoodShare for partners could have ripple effects for the Center’s demand. She asked residents and local leaders to consult the Center’s website for current supply needs and to consider local support for expansion if the village can help with a small adjacent parcel and with infrastructure design.
