Angel Food Ministries - Answers to a prayer!

Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States. The program began in 1994 with 34 families in Monroe, Georgia (between Atlanta and Athens), and has grown to serve hundreds of thousands of families every month across 35 states. Angel Food Ministries crosses denominational lines and provides much needed food regardless of religious belief. Angel Food is available in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $30 per unit. Each month's menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $60. Comparison shopping has been done across the country in various communities using a wide range of retail grocery stores and has resulted in the same food items costing from between $42 and $78. Generally, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month. The food is all the same high quality one could purchase at a grocery store. There are no second-hand items, no damaged or out-dated goods, no dented cans without labels, no day-old breads and no produce that is almost too ripe. In speaking to staff from Episcopal Church of St. Peter & St. Paul in Arlington, we learned that many faith-based organizations have been accessing food through Angel Food Ministries for several years. They are delighted with the service and use the non-profit for many of their congregants who are elderly or who have fallen on hard times. Since Angel Food Ministries accepts Food Stamps, members are able to make their food allowance go even further.