ANGEL FOOD MINISTRIES

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THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER

With the high price of gasoline and groceries, area churches have found a solution to help local families keep food on the table.

Twenty churches participate in the Angel Food Ministries program. It is not a pantry; it is buying food at wholesale prices for distribution to needy families.

Angel Food Ministries, founded in 1994, is a not-for-profit organization based in Monroe, Ga., that buys food in bulk from large corporations such as ConAgra or Tyson Foods and sells it in units to families.

“It is not seconds. They might not be name brands here, but they are name brands somewhere else,” said Jan Dedert of Petersburg, who as of this past summer had participated in the program for about a year.

Each month, a set menu of items is sold for 50 percent of what you would pay in a grocery store, said Susan Neuhalfen, spokeswoman for Angel Food Ministries. Each month’s menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items.

“It is all name-brand food. Not day-old or outdated — it is good food,” said Linda Ary of Athens New Life Baptist Church. “We feel that it is a good ministry for the community.”

The Angel Food Ministries Web site says one basic-unit box feeds a family of four for about a week or a single senior citizen for almost a month.

“I haven’t gotten anything I don’t like, except I got a mincemeat pie once,” Dedert said. “I don’t eat mincemeat pie.”

Orders are made through the churches and are paid for by customers in advance. The orders must be placed by the second Sunday of the month and are delivered on the third Saturday. The orders are paid for when placed.

“You show up with your receipt and a box, and we fill it with food. It is as simple as that,” said Rachel Cowley-Healy, operations manager for the iWorship Center in Springfield.

Some churches suggest bringing a laundry basket to transport the frozen items.

Angel Food Ministries sells more than 300,000 basic units each month across 35 states.

There is no limit to the number of units or bonus foods an individual can order. There are no qualifications, minimums, income restrictions or applications. Ordering is open to anyone, not just members of the churches.

Some churches even encourage participants to apply the money they saved to help someone else in need.

Angel Food Ministries accepts food stamps.

CALL 522-5632 for all the details on how to order.