Angel Food Ministries

With the rising cost of living, it is getting more and more difficult to survive in this world. The price of gas is unrelenting, and no sooner have the frigid temperatures of winter gone than the hot days of summer are rolling in. There's no doubt that many people have felt a financial crunch recently, but thankfully there are people and programs out there trying to make life a little easier on all of us. The Angel Food Ministries is one of those programs.

The Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational program that provides food to anyone who wants it, for a reduced price. The program started small in 1994, serving only thirty four families in the Monroe, Georgia area. It now serves hundreds of thousands in thirty-two of the fifty states. There are no applications or qualifications to meet - anyone who lives in a community that provides the service, can take advantage.

Here's how it works. A church signs up to be a host site and they provide the monthly menu of the program. Each month, the menu is different, but they will always include both fresh, and frozen items. The box of food typically retails at $50, but is sold for $25 and may contain things such as chicken, hamburger or pork, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, side dishes, and dessert. One unit of food will generally feed a family of four for about a week, or a senior citizen for a month. All of the food sold is store quality - it is not damaged or old. The church takes the orders one to two days a month through phone, email, mail, fax, in person, or through envelopes.

There is no limit on the quantity of boxes you can order. When the order is placed, the church collects the money (food stamps are permitted). The church host then sends the orders and one check to cover the cost to the main Angel Food Ministries site in Monroe, Georgia. When the food is ready to be picked up, the church host takes it and then volunteers from the church help with distribution when the food comes in. Volunteers help set up and fill boxes, help make sure everyone gets their correct purchases, and help take food to cars if needed. In rare cases, food is delivered to individual houses. The food typically is picked up at the host church site.

The great thing about the Angel Food Ministries is that when in your area, you can take advantage of it every month without having to fill out an application or meet certain qualifications and the price of food can be half the price that you would pay at your local grocery store. It also brings the people of the community together to serve each other.

For more information on how this program can help you, and if it's available in your area, visit www.angelfoodministries.com