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Sharing Place tells Lawrence Township board it's a lifeline and asks for volunteers
Summary
Sven Schumacher, representing The Sharing Place, told the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township board that the pantry's Silverbox home-delivery serves about 69 homebound clients, described rising demand since COVID and urged more volunteers and student vocational partnerships.
Sven Schumacher, introduced at the podium, told the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township board that The Sharing Place has seen record demand since the pandemic and described the pantry's role as a community lifeline.
"It's not, as you all know, about food," Schumacher said. "It's about connectedness and being part of a larger community." He said The Sharing Place serves people with hospice and serious illnesses, provides home delivery through a Silverbox program serving about 69 homebound residents, and relies on volunteers for heavy-lifting and deliveries.
Board members asked how the pantry determines who it serves. Schumacher said federal guideline changes recently reduced ZIP-code restrictions, allowing a broader set of people to access services, although historically the pantry served MSD Lawrence Township ZIP codes and two West Side ZIP codes. He said the pantry tries not to require extensive documentation for clients and works with translators when families bring children who can serve as interpreters.
Members also asked whether The Sharing Place coordinates with Meals on Wheels; Schumacher said the organizations are coordinating more closely after recent changes in local facility ownership shifted how meals are repackaged and delivered. He described an ongoing partnership with gleaners to monitor federal commodity supplies.
Several board members raised the idea of work-based learning and student volunteer opportunities. Schumacher said the pantry has discussed vocational pre-training with funders and believes students could gain skills in food safety, logistics and customer relations; staff said they will explore summer or school-year partnership opportunities.
On the pantry's most pressing need, Schumacher said people are now the limiting resource: "Now we don't have enough people," he said, asking the board and community for help recruiting volunteers who can lift items and lead delivery teams.
The board thanked Schumacher for the presentation and for The Sharing Place's partnership with the school district; no formal action was required.
