Angel Food Ministries provides groceries
Published: February 5, 2006
A grocery distribution program started last year is gaining momentum, and that’s good news for those seeking high-quality food at a reasonable price.
“Since November, interest has exploded. We can’t keep up with the number of requests from churches interested” in participating, said the Rev. Dane Price. He and his wife, Shawn, are ministers of outreach in Ohio for Angel Food Ministries.
The grocery program began April 2005 in the Mahoning Valley. It started with two sites — Covenant Community Center here and New Springfield Church of God in New Springfield.
Now there are 15 sites in the state and others are signing up. “We will be having training sessions for another seven to eight churches that are interested,” said the Rev. Mr. Price, who is senior pastor at Covenant Family Fellowship. Covenant Community Center is at his church.
What it is
Angel Food Ministries is a nondenominational, nonprofit service that provides food to everyone no matter what their income.
“The participants are across the board. We have some low-income people, senior citizens and families. The response has been phenomenal,” Mr. Price said. “I’ve had senior citizens in my office with tears in their eyes. They say they now can buy food and their medicines.”
Here’s how it works. A participant must place an advance order at one of the sites and pay by cash, money order or cashier’s check; personal checks are not accepted. “By April or May we hope to be able to accept food stamps,” Mr. Price said.
The cost is $25 for a food unit that would cost between $50 and $75 at a grocery store. The order usually contains frozen meats, produce, eggs and other grocery items.
Perfectly good condition
“This is not distressed food,” Mr. Price added. The food includes national and regional brands and is not outdated. Each month the food unit contains different items.
“We can include meats and produce because the order is delivered in a refrigerated truck. Volunteers come to the distribution site as early as 5 a.m. and then distribute at their sites between 10 a.m. and noon,” he said. He also noted the delivery is always on a Saturday.
“When people come to pick up their orders, it’s like an assembly line … as they move their basket or box from one item to the next,” he said.
In January, the Angel Food Ministries program provided groceries to more than 1,600 families throughout Ohio and more than 250,000 families nationwide.
Angel Food Ministries is able to offer the program at a low cost because it deals directly with food manufacturers and buys in such volume. “It’s the best-kept secret in the Mahoning Valley,” Mr. Price said.
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