THE CHRISTIAN SHARING CENTER INC

FAMILIES IN CRISIS: HELPING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH URGENTLY NEEDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS. THE PANTRY: THE SHARING CENTER'S PANTRY IS THE LARGEST FREE FOOD SOURCE IN SEMINOLE COUNTY. EACH FAMILY RECEIVES A WEEKS WORTH OF HAND-SELECTED, NUTRITIOUS GROCERIES. PROJECTRISE: A 4-WEEK WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM HELPING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS NAVIGATE EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING FOR LONG-TERM STABILITY. LOCATED IN LONGWOOD, FL, OUR SERVICES REACH OVER 18,000 INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY AND POVERTY. IN FISCAL YEAR, 2023-2024, THE SHARING CENTER DISTRIBUTED 131,453 BAGS OF ESSENTIAL FOODS AND SHARED $ 5.5 MILLION WORTH OF ESSENTIAL RESOURCES SUCH AS HOUSEHOLD GOODS, TOILETRIES, AND FURNITURE. THE SHARING CENTER IS DIVERSELY FUNDED BY LOCAL AND NATIONAL COMPANIES, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, CIVIC GROUPS, AND INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS A MULTI-SUITE RETAIL PROGRAM HELPING RAISE OVER $ 7.9 MILLION TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION. OUR THRIFT, BOUTIQUE, AND FURNITURE STORE DRIVES OVER $1.2 MILLION IN REVENUE TO HELP SUPPORT ONGOING GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL NONPROFIT AGENCIES, THE SHARING CENTER IS ABLE TO PROVIDE FREE EXTENDED RESOURCES, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, LEGAL AID, AND EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING TO OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED. IN 2011, THE SHARING CENTER OPENED AND CONTINUES TO OPERATE SEMINOLE COUNTY'S ONLY RESOURCE DROP-IN CENTER FOR OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS, THE OASIS. THIS FACILITY IS A PLACE OF RESPITE WHERE OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS CAN RECEIVE WARM MEALS, NEW AND CLEANED CLOTHING, REFRESHING SHOWERS, AND A CARING HAND LEADING THEM BACK TO STABILITY. LAST FISCAL YEAR, THE OASIS WAS VISITED SEVERAL TIMES BY MANY INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. NEARLY 9,702 VOLUNTEERS SERVED 75,456 HOURS LAST FISCAL YEAR. 98% OF THE SHARING CENTER'S WORKFORCE ARE DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO GIVE $ 2.4 MILLION WORTH OF THEIR TIME. THE SHARING CENTER'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS OVERSEES THE OPERATION OF THE ORGANIZATION, OFFERING EXPERTISE IN LAW, FINANCE, MARKETING, FUNDRAISING/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION/DEVELOPMENT, RETAIL MANAGEMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.