Several local politicians and community groups have returned from Oxford County after looking at an outreach program called "Operation Sharing".

It is an umbrella organization that covers some 25 service programs including the local Food bank, soup kitchen and shelter services.

Operation Sharing started almost 30 years ago with four churches and now has 45 working together.

United Way of Bruce Grey Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn is among the group that traveled to Woodstock on Tuesday.

She tells Bayshore Broadcasting News that Grey and Bruce County have the bones of a similar organization, and what they need is better co-operation and communication.

Dobbyn says the group heard presentations on a number of programs and services covered by Operation Sharing, and they had lunch at the Oxford county soup kitchen.

Dobbyn admits she was surprised at the independence each program maintains, while relying on the umbrella group to help get sustainable funding.

The trip stemmed from the OSHaRE soup kitchen situation.

OSHaRE wanted to set up a soup kitchen in downtown Owen Sound but there was some backlash from nearby business owners.