Helping Others While Helping Yourself

At any point in time, people try to make their budgets stretch as far as possible. In order to pay utilities and other of life's necessities, often the grocery budget is the first to be downsized. Angel Food Ministries provides assistance in stretching those food dollars further with nutritious food, and through your purchases Angel Food Ministries then donates back $1.00 for each regular unit purchased to the host church's benevolent fund.

It might seem that this program would be limited to people with certain incomes or family sizes, but that is not the case. Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate in the purchase of the many monthly food offerings each month. The program also accepts food stamps in payment of the boxed units.

How Angel Food Ministries Works

Any church may apply to become a host site with a one-time application fee of $50.00 that will be refunded if for any reason the church is not approved. After that, each host site takes orders from the community for the boxed units they wish to purchase. Units are ordered about two weeks before the units are shipped. The host church receives their shipment of boxed units according to the order placed. Anyone who has purchased one or more boxed units for that month come to the host church on a predesignated day to pick up his/her purchases.

Food

Angel Food Ministries reports that the food, both fresh and frozen, is restaurant grade with no outdated or second-hand food included. Because the ministry buys in bulk, it is able to buy food at reduced costs. The ministry estimates that $30.00 worth of food through the program would cost approximately $60.00 to buy at the grocery.

The standard food box each month is estimated to be enough food to feed a family of four for one week or a single senior citizen for about a month. The menu for the standard box changes from month to month. In addition to the standard box, there are many additional boxes available for purchase--with or without purchase of a standard box. There is a box of food especially for after school snacking, a box of gluten-free foods, a fresh fruit and vegetable box, and even a box of balanced meals for those short on preparation time or ability, such as a disabled person or senior citizen.

Benefits

As you can see, you don't need to be financially strapped to participate in this program. Standard units you purchase indirectly provide money back to the host church that can then assist the needy people in their congregation/your community.

Many people would like to give to charity to help others, but budgets are tight and often there is no extra money to spare. Purchasing the standard boxed units from Angel Food Ministries allows such people to be charitable while being able to feed themselves and their families quality, nutritious food.

Options

The monthly menu and additional boxed foods are available to see online at the Angel Food Ministry website. You can place your monthly order online and pay for it the same way. Orders must be paid when placed.

Currently the ministry is offering two programs in which anyone may participate: Sponsor a Soldier's Family and No Child Goes Without. Information about these programs and the ministry may be found at the Angel Food Ministry site.

Source: Angel Food Ministries