Program helps families stretch grocery dollars
MANASSAS, Va. – April orders for SHARE food packages can be placed now through Saturday, April 6, at the House of Mercy, a nonprofit organization in Manassas.
“The packages are priced at about half their grocery store value. For only $22, you can buy about $45 worth of food,” said Kellie Ross, executive director at the House of Mercy.
Packages contain a variety of high-quality frozen meats and fresh produce and are offered at a low cost to help families save money on their grocery bills, she said. Anyone can order regardless of their income level, she added.
Each month the House of Mercy offers a different menu of selections. April orders must be picked up on Saturday, April 20, between 9 a.m. and noon at the House of Mercy, located at 8170 Flannery Court.
Purchasers are asked to volunteer two hours in the community, Ross said. “SHARE’s purpose is to build communities and strengthen families, as well as to help families eat healthy for less.”
SHARE (Self Help And Resource Exchange) is a nonprofit food and community-building network sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington. The House of Mercy joined SHARE’s network this year to make the program available to area families, Ross said.
“As a distribution site for SHARE, we can offer wholesome food at huge savings to all families in our community.” The House of Mercy receives no profit from the sale of the packages, which it sells at cost, she said.
The April menu includes three packages: the Value Package for $20, the Cooking for Two for $16 and the Season’s First Grill Box for $21. A $2 surcharge is also added to each order to cover transportation costs, Ross said.
The Value and Cooking for Two packages each include boneless Pollock filet, split chicken breasts, ground turkey and Aunt Jemima buttermilk waffles. The Value Package also includes ready-to-serve chicken breast strips, pork sausage patties and five fresh produce items. The Cooking for Two Package includes three fresh produce items.
The Season’s First Grill Box contains grilling meats, including two choice sirloin, two boneless pork chops, three quarters of a pound of Italian sausage, one pound each of chicken breast and ground beef and 10 ounces of pork tenderloin.
Orders can be made by phone if paying by credit or debit card. Otherwise, orders must be placed in person, Ross said.
Payments can be made by credit and debit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover), cash, food stamps or money order. No checks are accepted. For more information or to order, call 703-659-1636.
