Share based on self help

By Bob Holliday bholliday@pantagraph.com CARLOCK - Laura Jean Child of Carlock is a 78-year-old widow on a fixed income. But she wouldn't dream of accepting free food. "I don't need to get free stuff. That's for those who are desperate," she said. Instead, through a program called Share Food, Child pays $15 to get about $30 worth of food each month. The nationwide program, which buys in bulk and uses volunteer help to unload and distribute its goods, has been in Central Illinois for 20 years. The self-help nature of the program is one of the things that convinced John Truitt Sr. to introduce it to Central Illinois. "When you're handing people food, it's a Band-aid, and it becomes a habit of coming back for more," said Truitt. The program began in San Diego, Calif., 23 years ago. Child has been participating in the program since her husband died about 12 years ago. The program requires participants to donate two hours of community service per month. Child takes money and gives receipts during the monthly food distribution at the White Oak Township building in Carlock. Other volunteers drive elderly neighbors to the doctor, or act as Scout leaders. The homebound can pray two hours a month, Truitt said. On average, the program serves 11,000 families every month. Food is distributed in 33 counties. Fresh fruit and vegetables and frozen meat is warehoused in downtown Peoria. "Last month (in May) we distributed 118 units," said Lorene Smith, who with her husband Kenneth, volunteers as a host at the Hilltop Mobile Home Park clubhouse in Bloomington. "We have people coming from Clinton and Heyworth," she said, adding the program "is good for people on fixed incomes or people with kids." Nancy Bohannon is Smith's counterpart at the White Oak Township building. "It's very good food for a very decent price," she said. Added Child, "it's popular because you save money and it's not a charity program."