Angel Food Ministries still at it
Affordable food available to everyone
By James Moate Endeavor News

Deb Eckenroth assists Pastor Scott Mellot with an Angel Food order. She is one of many volunteers who donate their time each month to provide people with a more affordable means of grocery shopping. Each month, Angel Food Ministries provides food boxes to hundreds of thousands of families in 32 states.

Affordable food is available to everyone in Cameron County and the Austin area of Potter County, regardless of income, through Angel Food Ministries in Emporium.

A non-profit, non-denominational organization, Angel Food started in 1994 with 34 families in Georgia. Since then, it has spread to 32 states and serves hundreds of thousands of families.

Recipients must bring their own boxes to be filled with "Angel Food" worth an average of $50 at retail price for $25. No secondhand, damaged or outdated items are used -- only grocery store quality food.

Each month, a new menu is developed containing enough food to supply a family of four for one week or an elderly citizen for about a month. Specialty boxes are also available with the purchase of the standard monthly package. Additionally, a message of praise is included with each order. Food stamps are accepted.

Locally, the program is administered through the Cameron County Christian Center at the former Fourth Street School building in Emporium. Order forms can be picked up at Admit One, Country Blessings, CareerLink and several local taverns.

"Everyone is a volunteer," says local coordinator Brenda Clonan. "All of those who participate in the Angel Food program does it out of the kindness of their hearts."

Payment must be received in advance. Methods of payment include "almost anything you want to use," says Clonan, who added that food stamp orders must be completed at the church.

Donations can also be made. Five donations were made anonymously for the November order, which was processed last weekend.

Orders are already being accepted for December but, due to the holiday season, must be submitted by Dec. 3. Mail orders must be postmarked by Nov. 28.

Volunteers who made November's food distribution possible included Brenda Clonan, Sherry and Luke Pifer, Chauncey and Dorothy Logue, Mike and Pamela Kulick, Deb Eckenroth and, from British Columbia, Canada, Patsy Cosby.