Angel Food Ministries takes flight
Published: August 9, 2007
PORTAGE — In 1994, a small relief program called Angel Food Ministries began in Georgia, providing 34 families with groceries. Today, the nonprofit and nondenominational program extends into 30 states and supports more than 165,000 families each month.
Since February, Family Bible Church in Portage has participated in the program, helping anyone who wants to save money on grocery bills. There are no applications or income restrictions, and food stamps can be used.
For $25, participants can purchase $50 worth of fresh and frozen quality food items. A medium-sized unit can feed a family of four for a week or one senior citizen for a month.
“We wanted to benefit the community and the closest one (host site) was over an hour away,” said co-director Melany McGrath.
McGrath, along with co-director Mary Girouard, organized the FBC program after hearing about its success from a friend in Texas. Research followed, along with trips to Michigan to try the food and see the plan in action.
Once convinced of the program’s value, the church applied to become a host site, and the women went through training. A trailer also was purchased. It is used to pick up orders that have been shipped to Granger, Ind.
So far, orders have increased thanks to word of mouth, McGrath said. In the first month, 50 orders were placed; in May, the number jumped to 133.
“We outgrew the trailer that we have now,” McGrath said. “The great majority (of participants) isn’t from the church, but instead from the community. … We wanted to be helpful and are getting good feedback.”
FBC has seen interest in its program from areas outside Porter County. Lake County and Illinois residents participate as well, prompting the need for many dedicated volunteers, McGrath said.
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