The Chicago Shares Board of Directors will review the applications and determine which organizations will receive donations this spring. Applications are due by April 19, 2013, and the recipients will be announced and notified the week of May 20, 2013. Please submit any questions to coordinator@chicagoshares.org.

Our 2012 distributions of $63,570 was the highest ever in our twenty year history, almost doubling 2011 totals. We have added new distribution sites including Willow Creek and the Chinese Christian Union Church. Several of our existing distribution sites had a record selling year. Fourth Presbyterian Church, Moody Church, and Holy Name Cathedral all doubled their distribution totals from 2011. Additional strong supporters of the program include St. Clement’s Church and St. Peter’s Church in the Loop. Sales via PayPal (a fairly new vehicle for individuals to purchase vouchers to give out) tripled in 2012.

Our member merchants accept the vouchers like cash and turn them in to Chicago Shares for reimbursement. All of our participating merchants are an essential part of this process. By accepting our vouchers and sending them back for reimbursement, they are helping us serve Chicago’s neediest residents. Without their participation, Chicago Shares could not exist.

All the Shares sold are not redeemed. The average redemption rate over the last six years is 72%. Once a year, the unredeemed amounts are gifted to various charities and needy organizations that have a similar purpose of feeding the hungry in the Chicago area. Over the life of the Chicago Shares program we have returned over $80,000 to the community via local organizations such as the Courage Program, various food pantries and by purchasing ads in the Streetwise magazine.

Chicago Shares is 100% volunteer run with less than 4% of the proceeds used for administrative purposes, mainly for printing the vouchers and for postage. A consumer can feel confident using Chicago Shares and a business can feel confident accepting them.

Our volunteers have high personal integrity, are self-motivated, and should be able to work independently. Training is provided. Previous experience with non-profit organizations is helpful, but not required. Previous experience with the functional skill area involved is preferred.

Chicago Shares is currently seeking individuals to help make a difference in the following areas.

Merchant Recruiter

• Identifies new merchants that would be good candidates to accept Chicago Shares
• Contacts prospects (in-person, by phone and/or email) and explains the program
• Follows-up to answer questions and encourage participation

Average commitment:  1-2 hours per week

Merchant Liaison

• Visits monthly one or more participating merchants to collect the Shares presented for purchases
• Submits a check request for the reimbursement of the merchant; picks up the reimbursement check and delivers it to the merchant
• Serves as the Chicago Shares representative by answering questions and asking for ongoing feedback

Average commitment:  1-2 hours per week

Sale Location Recruiter

• Recruits churches, other religious institutions, and non-profit organizations to sell Chicago Shares
• Answers questions and coordinates the purchase of an allotment of Shares for resale
• Assists in organizing the sale of the Shares at this location

Average commitment:  1-2 hours per week

Assistant Voucher Coordinator

• When the Voucher Coordinator is unavailable, responds to requests for vouchers from churches and other sellers of Shares; fills orders from individual purchasers
• Deposits proceeds of voucher sales into organization’s checking account; maintains appropriate reports and documentation
• May require delivering to various parts of downtown Chicago including, but not limited to South & West Loop and near North Side.

(Volunteer is reimbursed for the cost of postage and paper for printing Vendor lists as needed.)

Average commitment:  1-2 hours per week

Publicity Committee Member

• Meets on average three times a year (90 minute meetings) to develop ideas on how to best communicate Chicago Shares to the general public.
• Writes (or assists in writing) press releases, draft copy for the websites, brochure and other communications; reaches out to the media and other stakeholders to increase visibility of Chicago Shares

Average commitment:  1-2 hours per week

Webmaster

• Manage the web content strategy, including posting of articles and pictures.
• Find newsworthy stories to publish regularly on the Chicago Shares website, write articles for the website, and provide an analysis of key website metrics.

Average commitment: 1-2 hours per week

Young Leaders Board Members

The Chicago Shares Young Leaders Board is a group of Chicago young professionals that help build awareness around the Chicago Shares mission. The goals and objectives of the Chicago Shares Young Leaders are as follows:

• Build awareness around the Chicago Shares mission
• Engage young people in serving Chicago Shares
• Develop a communication strategy for Chicago Shares
• Identify a tactical plan to build general awareness
• Execute on tactics including those surrounding specific events such as the 20^th Anniversary of the organization in 2013

Average commitment: 1-2 hours per week

To become a volunteer, email us at coordinator@chicagoshares.org or call us at 312-573-4494.

The Courage Program

Chicago Shares is pleased to announce that grants of $3000.00 each have been award to The Courage Program (9711 S. Kolin, Oak Lawn IL)  and Lakeview Pantry (3831 N. Broadway, Chicago IL).

The Courage Program provides assistance and advocates for pregnant young mothers and their families. Lakeview Pantry helps eliminate hunger on Chicago’s north side, and will be able to provide 15 tons of food through the grant provided by Chicago Shares.

Funds for such grants are available because approximately 20% of the vouchers we sell are never redeemed. Since Chicago Shares does not have any paid staff and few administrative expenses, we accumulate funds that are not needed to reimburse participating merchants or for other expenses. Our board of directors has mandated that such funds be donated to organizations whose mission, like ours, includes the feeding of hungry people.

Lakeview Pantry

Therefore, buyers of Chicago Shares vouchers can always be assured that their money will help those in need, primarily through redemption of the vouchers, and secondarily through grants to organizations that also serve the hungry poor.

Richard Kaczmarek does not hand over spare change or leftovers when prompted by the homeless.  Instead, he offers what appears to be a small square ticket, good for food or personal care items at local stores and restaurants.  To some, he is known as the Chicago Shares man, but in fact he is president of the not-for-profit corporation based in Holy Name Cathedral.

Chicago Shares voucher

Kaczmarek, 73, is responsible for all phases of the operation, from recruiting volunteers, appointing board members, right down to purchasing and distributing vouchers.  The concept behind the voucher: feed those in need while preventing monetary access to drugs or alcohol.

Partnered with other churches, synagogues, merchants and a volunteer staff, Chicago Shares has become a self-sufficient operation.

“Chicago Shares was the entity that developed the shares, produced the shares and sold them to the participating churches.  The churches then in turn sell them to their congregations,” Kaczmarek explained.

Often a combination of cash and vouchers are redeemed at the merchants.

“At the end of each month, the merchant contacts us.  One of our volunteers goes to the merchant and delivers a check for the full value of the vouchers,” he said.

The participating stores and restaurants receive more business as the result.

“Most of all, they are helping people who are in need.  But financially, they aren’t hurt.  We don’t expect them to give them or us a discount,” Kaczmarek said.

With an average 80 percent redemption rate used at over a dozen locations stretching from the Loop to Lincoln Park, it appears the system is working.

“Not all the vouchers we sell are used,” Kaczmarek said.

About 20 percent of the funds from the voucher sales remain in Chicago Shares accounts.  Only a small fraction of this goes into administrative expenses such as printing the vouchers and maintaining a website.  With no office or paid staff, the remaining funds reach those in need

“We have donated $74,000 in cash to organizations that serve the homeless,” Kaczmarek said.

Since its beginning in 1992, Chicago Shares has provided thousands of vouchers which the disadvantaged can exchange for food or other items.  Ann Klocke, 76, pastoral assistant at Holy Name, set to work modeling this organization that addressed the concerns of the donors while meeting the needs of the homeless after reading about a similar project in Berkeley, Calif.

“I was on my way over here for an evening meeting, and four different times people asked me for money. You wish you could do something for these folks, and everyone should have dinner,” Klocke said.

For Ron Polaniecki, 61, volunteer and board member of Chicago Shares, the simplicity of the organization is most appealing.

“I thought it was a very innovative and simple solution to something that always bothered me– how to give something to a person on the street without fumbling for cash or pulling out my wallet, and how to be sure that the recipient would use my money for food, and not alcohol or drugs,” Polaniecki said.

It was in 2000 that Kaczmarek joined the Chicago Shares team as a co-executive director, but a passion for serving those in need stems from his upbringing in the Catholic faith.

“My work with Chicago Shares offers me the opportunity to serve God’s people in a small way by helping to feed some of the hungry poor,” Kaczmarek said.

His work at Holy Name extends to the Right of Christian Initiation for Adults, helping adults become members of the Catholic Church.

Kaczmarek also devotes some time to Learning Ally, a Chicago organization that records text books for blind and dyslexic students.  He is a supporter of a number of organizations and charities such as UNICEF, and is a freedom writer for Amnesty International.

Richard Kaczmarek

In May 2010, Kaczmarek became president of Chicago Shares, replacing its founder, Klocke.

“He has brought very good order to us.  He also has a really big heart and loves very much to help the needy,” Klocke said.

Kaczmarek notes that the needs of disadvantaged and homeless Chicagoans extends beyond spare change.

“Addiction control, education, finding a home, finding a job—those are long term,” Kaczmarek said.  “But they have got to have something to eat today, and that’s where Chicago Shares comes in.”

If you would like more information on Chicago Shares or how to purchase vouchers, visit www.chicagoshares.org or call 312-573-4494.

We recommend the Chicago Shares program to other convenience outlets, and vendors. It is very easy to participate.

It makes good sense to accept Chicago Shares.

Bryan McNamara
General Manager
Mac Kelly’s
123 West Madison
Chicago,IL 60601

Chicago Shares President Rich Kaczmarek presents a grant to Trish Kholodenko, Director of the Chicago Dream Center.

On June, 2011 Chicago Shares President Rich Kaczmarek presented a grant of $3,500 to Trish Kholodenko, Director of the Chicago Dream Center. She was very grateful for the contribution and presented Rich with a letter of gratitude:

Funds for such grants are available because approximately 20% of the vouchers we sell are never redeemed. Since Chicago Shares does not have any paid staff and few administrative expenses, we accumulate funds that are not needed to reimburse participating merchants or for other expenses. Our board of directors has mandated that such funds be donated to organizations whose mission, like ours, includes the feeding of hungry people.

Therefore, buyers of Chicago Shares vouchers can always be assured that their money will help hungry people, primarily through redemption of the vouchers, and secondarily through grants to organizations that also serve the hungry poor.

Chicago Shares' co-executive director, Mike Kraynak

Mike has been a Chicago Shares volunteer since 2002. He has served as merchant- liaison to several merchants, new merchant recruiter, and coordinator of voucher sales at Holy Name Cathedral.
Mike is employed by the U.S. Government’s General Services Administration(GSA) and recently served a seven month volunteer assignment for GSA in Afghanistan.