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Hudson Church Joins Angel Food Ministries

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By Klint  Lowry | The Suncoast News

Published: October 4, 2008

HUDSON - People don't expect Biblical miracles nowadays, for the multitudes to be fed with fives loaves and two fishes. But in today's economy, many households do appreciate any humanitarian efforts that help keep quality food on the table.

Fourteen years after one couple decided it was their Christian duty to help their neighbors in need, the program they started has spread across the nation, bringing good food at low prices to hundreds of thousands of people.

Nature Coast Family Fellowship, 14832 U.S. 19, Hudson, is among the latest houses of worship to take part in Angel Food Ministries, a program that allows people to buy food for about half its grocery-store price.

"The Lord laid it on my heart to reach out to the community," said Nature Coast Family Fellowship's pastor, the Rev. Thomas Almond.

He added, "In these days when so many people are having a hard time making ends meet, what more meaningful way to touch their lives but to offer them a way to get more food for their money?"

Angel Food Ministries is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization started by pastors Joe and Linda Wingo in 1994 in Monroe, Ga., to help families in their community affected by factory closings. It now serves hundreds of thousands of families in 35 states.

Almond said he started with a relatively modest goal for the fellowship to provide Christmas dinner for a local family in need. It was around this time, he said that someone in the area asked him if he had heard of Angel Food Ministries.

He soon found out his brother not only knew about the program, but had bought food through it and could attest to its quality. The program uses restaurant-quality meats and top brand packaged items. By purchasing a year in advance in vast quantities, they are able to keep the cost down.

"Most people say when something seems too good to be true, it probably is," Almond said. But as he looked into Angel Food Ministries, he came to the conclusion this was one of those special cases when something lived up to its promise.

Angel Food Ministries food is sold on a monthly basis. It is sold in box loads that contain a variety of foods promoting a protein-rich diet. It isn't meant to replace grocery shopping altogether, but to stretch monthly food budgets.

The boxes cost $30 each. The contents vary from month to month, but each box contains what would be from $60 to $70 worth of groceries if purchased at a conventional grocery store.

Boxes for October will include rib-eye steaks, split chicken breasts, heat-and-serve meatloaf with gravy, chicken fajita strips, boneless pork chops, meatballs, hot dogs, frozen carrots and other vegetables, pasta, marinara sauce, Hawaiian Punch, a quart of shelf-stable milk, which requires no refrigeration until opened, corn tortillas, eggs and a dessert.

There are also "Senior Boxes" available, for $28, which contain 10 individual balanced meals that include a protein, starch and two vegetables or fruits. The senior boxes were created as a matter of convenience, Almond said. It removes the need to prepare meals from scratch.

"They're basically heat and serve," Almond said.

For those who buy at least one regular or senior box there are also "special" boxes of meats or fruits and vegetables. The special boxes cost between $18 and $21.

"If you eat, you qualify" is the program's slogan, which Almond finds personally palatable. There are no income guidelines, no residency restrictions and no religious affiliation necessary to take part. There is also no limit to the number of boxes a customer can order.

"God wants us all to make use of what is provided," said Almond's wife Jacqueline Almond, who heads up the organization of the fellowship's participation in the Angel Food program, with help from fellowship member Arthur Beatty and other volunteers.

September set a record for Angel Food Ministries - 567,769 food boxes were ordered nationwide. It was Nature Coast Family Fellowship's first month with the program; 51 boxes were ordered. Almond anticipates in months to come, that number will grow considerably, which is great. That is what it's there for.

The order deadline for this month is Friday, Oct. 10. Customers will be able to pick up their orders at the ministry Oct. 25. Orders are taken at the church from noon until 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Cash, money orders and food stamps are accepted.

For more information, call Nature Coast Family Fellowship at 727-271-4662. Hernando County residents are eligible to participate and can call 352-688-4438. To learn more about Angel Food Ministries visit its href=http://www.angelfoodministries.com> Web site.

Klint Lowry can be reached at 727-815-1067 or klowry@suncoastnews.com.

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