What Bob Glenzinski likes best about his job as executive director of the SHARE Food program is that it helps him draw closer to Jesus Christ.

“I just want him to be more and more in my life,” Glenzinski told The Catholic Post. “It’s a real blessing to have a chance to do something where my work and my faith intersect.”

Glenzinski became the third executive director of SHARE Food of Central Illinois on March 31 this year, succeeding Carl Bleichner, who recently left to take a job with Interstate Bakeries Corporation, the makers of Butternut bread.

Bleichner was appointed executive director in January 2007 when John Truitt retired after overseeing the SHARE program — an activity of the Diocese of Peoria — for more than 20 years. Also retiring at that time was Truitt’s wife Mary, who had been SHARE’s office manager for more than 18 years.

SHARE, which operates out of the former Colonial Bread Company of Peoria bakery at 1825 N.E. Adams St., started in Peoria in October 1986 when Truitt and Bishop Edward W. O’Rourke established a branch of the San Diego-based national food cooperative in the diocese.

Glenzinski said he had expressed interest in working for SHARE even before Truitt’s retirement. “I’m glad this opportunity presented itself again,” he said.

The program sells quality name-brand foods at a discount in exchange for two hours of volunteer service a month. There are no income requirements — anyone can participate.

The co-op distributes its food through participating “host sites” — parishes, churches or community groups. At the start of each month, host sites take orders for food packages, collect payments, and inform their participating families about volunteer service requirements. The families are then given receipts telling them when and where to pick up their food.

“Our biggest challenge is always getting the word out,” Glenzinski said. “So many have the idea you have to be low income, but one of the mottos here is, ‘If you eat, you qualify.’ The more people who participate, the better it is for those who need it.”

To contact SHARE Food, call toll free (800) 637-5508.