The back room of Sharkee’s Bar and Grill bore a striking resemblance to Santa’s workshop this week.

Like busy elves on mission, more than 100 volunteers spent Thursday and Friday helping to bridge local donations with local families who need them.

This year is the 25th year of SHARE holiday giving.

Sharing Hearts Are Reaching Everyone, as it stands for, helped roughly 200 families put Christmas gifts under the tree and food on the table this year.

That’s roughly the same number as last year, according to SHARE volunteers, but last year saw a big jump in the number’s needing help — up to 200 families in 2008 from 175 in 2007.

What’s changed this year, though, is the urgency of the need, according to Cheryl Cox, who has volunteered with SHARE for more than 20 years.

“What we’re noticing this year, is that people seem to be very anxious about getting their stuff,” Cox said.

“They wanted to know, ‘Are we going to get our stuff? Will there be enough?’ … The stress level seems to be elevated.”

Molly Golla agreed.

“I started getting calls during the last week in October from people wondering when the applications would be out and when they could sign up,” said Golla, who co-chairs the SHARE organization with Norma Stewart.

Local families could sign up during November to receive specific items from SHARE, such as clothing in certain sizes and groceries for the right number of family members.

Using cash donations SHARE volunteers have been shopping — locally — to fill those orders, and they spent a good share of Thursday organizing those items into packages (coded by number to protect confidentiality).

The end result was a party room of endless tables stacked with clothing, blankets, toys and miscellaneous gifts.

It took weeks to process applications, accept donations, shop for gifts and organize distribution.

Come Friday morning, though, it took less than two hours for everything to disappear.

“I’m always amazed how fast things come through the door and how fast it goes out,” Cox said.

Golla said, “It is amazing to see.”

While the SHARE program has wrapped up another season, volunteers will immediately mobilize for next year’s efforts.

They said support for SHARE is welcome all year long. Cash donations can be mailed to SHARE at PO Box 792, Luverne, MN 56156.

For more information call 227-9282 or 283-9843.