Rosalia Dawson has been a dedicated volunteer at The Sharing Center since March 2026, serving in our Distribution Center. She assists in both the linen and electronics departments and is always willing to help wherever she is needed. Rosalia’s connection to The Sharing Center is especially meaningful. After experiencing homelessness herself,...
Kathy Anderson has been a dedicated volunteer at The Sharing Center since 2002, after being referred by a neighbor. She began her time in the thrift store, sorting hangers and organizing clothing, and quickly became a consistent and valued part of the team. Before coming to The Sharing Center, Kathy volunteered...
Our community has seen trials and crises at whiplash rates in recent years. A global pandemic, extreme hurricanes, and unattainable costs of living have cornered many into poverty. In many cases, one late rent or mortgage payment led to an eviction notice, while a loss in income or increase of...
With a quick search on the internet, you’ll find a plethora of research findings describing a correlation between health literacy and socio-economic status. According to information compiled in The Journal for Electronic Health Data and Methods, these factors are “directly associated with clinical and behavioral risk factors and healthcare outcomes.” Under...
Our donors, volunteers, and staff are the heart of our mission. Every service shared relieves families and individuals from the burdens of poverty because of the compassionate care of our community. For this reason, while heart-shaped confections and floral arrangements are in abundance this month, we want to express our...
Families and individuals around Central Florida face the unexpected every day. One slip on the playground results in an unexpected medical bill, and one high credit card charge leads to a missed rental payment. As a result, the hardships continue to mount at indescribable rates. With your support, The Sharing Center...
It costs approximately $35,424 for a single adult and $93,228 for a family of four to survive in Central Florida. That’s according to Heart of Florida United Way’s Household Survival Budget released in 2022, based on updated research conducted from public sources. That means an individual needs to earn $40,000 to...
What comes to mind when you think about what it means to experience poverty? For most, physical descriptions of what life is like when individuals and families lack the monetary resources needed to meet their basic needs come top to mind. However, poverty's accompanying psychological effects on an individual continue to...
The hunger crisis is growing at an exponential rate while showing little to no mercy to those who are struggling to meet their basic needs. Today, 2.2 million people around the state of Florida are facing hunger – 660,500 children are living through that harsh reality. The Sharing Center’s Pantry lives...
White picket fences, freshly cut lawns and wrap-around porches perfectly fit together to portray the American Dream at its finest. Although this portrayal of what life was like in the 1930s no longer looks the same, the yearning for something better still rings true for many today. For Shannon and Jocelyn,...
MAITLAND, Fla. (12/9/22) – The American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) announced recipients of the 2022 Golden Pear Grants during a live stream on Facebook in a record breaking $250,000 distribution of funds and an additional $100K in-kind donations through its Educational Foundation. The Sharing Center was among the organizations selected for an...
DeAnn Hollis once said, “The heart of a volunteer is never measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.” With this sentiment in mind, we can be sure that the heart of every volunteer at The Sharing Center is...
The final days of September were overcome with uneasiness and exhaustion as the landfall of Hurricane Ian left residents across Central Florida exposed. The catastrophic storm produced unprecedented amounts of flooding and destruction in its wake, but the heart of Seminole County has remained unwavering through it all. While some were...
At The Sharing Center, volunteers are considered family. Tens of thousands of hours every year are given to help our neighbors in need. Monday through Saturday, anywhere from 40 to over 100 volunteers are working throughout our campus and our community in dedication and service. Alex Tao is one of...