Feeding those in need
Published: April 10, 2007
Ellis County Pathways began taking orders in February for food through Angel Food Ministries, a nonprofit, non-denominational organization providing groceries at a lower rate than average retail value. Angel Food Ministries sells fresh, frozen and canned foods at $25 per unit, which will feed a family of four for a week and a single senior for a month. The average retail value of the unit is between $50 and $75.
“The food is good name brands,” said Marion Reynolds with Ellis County Pathways. “A lot of it is frozen and a lot of it is non-perishable. There have been eggs and bread. There’s a lot of staples and a lot of meats. There’s vegetables, cereal and of course there’s canned fruit. They try to give a lot of variety.”
Angel Food Ministries serves high-quality items one would find at the local grocery stores and does not give second-hand items, damaged or out-of-date goods or day-old bread.
“Anyone is eligible to order food — there is no screening process,” Reynolds said, stressing that people can buy for themselves or for those in need. “Our first month of distribution was in February and we had one person who bought nine boxes, and they were probably going to give them to other people.”
The menu changes monthly and the March menu includes: 25-ounce chicken and stuffing dinner; four 8-ounce hamburger steaks; one 2-pound lasagna dinner; one 5-pound breaded frying chicken; biscuit mix; peas and carrots; turnip greens; pears; peanut better; waffles; green beans; and other items.
The menu also includes three specials available at an additional $18, such as a 4.5-pound stuffed chicken combo box, including three varieties of stuffed chicken. Menus have been distributed to businesses and churches throughout town and the Waxahachie Senior Center.
Food may be ordered between 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 17, by going to the Straight-Way Community Building, 1415 Martin Luther King Blvd. (Business 287), Waxahachie. Payment in the form of cash or money order is accepted and food stamps may be used when accompanied with a Lone Star card and driver license. Distribution will be from 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 31, at the Straight-Way Community Building.
“We’re just trying to get the word out for people who want help with their groceries, ” Reynolds said.
Ellis County Pathways was founded last year as an organization offering various forms of outreach to the needy in the community.
“It was formed last year as a new nonprofit organization. This is just one of the new things we wanted to do — distribute Angel Food Ministries,” Reynolds said. “We’re trying to target those in need. As we build our organization more we want to branch out and help people in need. We want to help people get a step up and to help them get out of any poor situations they may be in or get back on their feet. We intend to expand our mission.”
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