TERRE HAUTE — The line stretched from the sanctuary into the parking lot Saturday morning, as volunteers directed cars pulling into the drive.
“Each month we do this, actually,” Pastor Guinn Shingleton said inside Faith Outreach Family Church, one of five Vigo County churches which serve as sites for Angel Food Ministries.
Founded in 1994 by a minister wanting to help struggling neighbors buy food, Angel Food Ministries has evolved into a nationwide network of churches providing restaurant-grade food at discount prices.
Shingleton said about 500,000 American families purchase food through the program each month from 4,000 sites. Indiana alone has 175 churches serving as distribution points. Locally, Maplewood Christian Church, Nazarene Southside Church, Celebration Christian Center, Emmanuel United Methodist Church in West Terre Haute, and Faith Outreach Family Church all participate, Shingleton said.
There are no eligibility guidelines for purchasing food through Angel Food Ministries, Shingleton explained. “If you eat, you qualify,” he said, adding individuals ranging from college professors to the unemployed participate.
Pointing to a menu sheet, Shingleton explained the food is purchased in bulk packages. The “March Special No. 1,” for example, contains 1.5 lb of ribeye steaks, 1 lb. chopped beef steak flavored with mozzarella cheese, 1 lb. chopped beef steak flavored with mild cheddar cheese, 1.5 lb. Italian sausage with cheese and 1 lb. of bacon-wrapped turkey breast filet mignon. The meats come individually in 4 to 12 ounce units. That group package is $23.
Other packages include seafood, allergen-free food and senior citizen meals ranging from $20 to $35. The contents are designed to provide balanced nutrition for varying family sizes and types. Participants pre-order and pre-pay for the food at the church and then pick it up on delivery day, he said, noting food stamps, cash or checks are accepted. Trucks began unloading this month’s order at the 3001 Wallace Ave. location at 6 a.m.
The Walt Disney Co. has recently joined in the venture as part of its wide-ranging national volunteer efforts, offering a “give-a-day-get-a-day” special to volunteers helping unload the food. Volunteers can earn tickets to Disneyland by working for Angel Food Ministries, Shingleton said.
“We’ve been doing this for about five years,” he added, noting some surprise that more people don’t participate. Locally, about 300 families use the service each month, he said. “But we could do so much more.”
Charlotte Lloyd, Coatsville, got up at 4 a.m. to help Saturday, just as she has for the last five years.
“Ever since it started,” the church member and “floor general” of the project said. “It’s really fun. Even getting up at four in the morning to get here is fun.”
Both Lloyd and Shingleton said the more the better when it comes to their ordering. “I wish more people were aware of how much money they could save by doing this,” she said.
Mike Battaglia, Clinton, is also a five-year volunteer in the project.
“It goes well,” he said of the unloading and distribution. “And it’s a good opportunity to help people out in the community and show them some love in tough times.”
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
More info
• For more information, contact Pastor Guinn Shingleton at Faith Outreach Family Church, 812-232-4454. Visit www.fofchurch.org.
• For more information about Angel Food Ministries, or to register online, visit www.angelfoodministries.com.
Local & Bistate
Several Wabash Valley churches participate in Angel Food Ministries
- Local & Bistate
-
-
UPDATE: Fatal semi accident closes eastbound I-70 in Hendricks County
A fatal semitrailer accident and resulting material spill earlier this morning resulted in the closing of eastbound Interstate 70 at the 57-mile marker in Hendricks County, according to an Indiana State Police news release. The roadway remained closed as of 2 p.m.
-
Valentine's Day a rosy business
Red roses, mixed bouquets and even a bonsai tree or two are being delivered today on perhaps the nation’s sweetest holiday.
-
Downtown gets Wi-Fi ‘hotspot’
Frontier Communications has reached an agreement with city officials to create a Wi-Fi “hotspot” covering much of downtown Terre Haute.
-
Board OKs $5.4M in work at schools
The Vigo County School Board has approved borrowing $5.4 million for an expansion of DeVaney Elementary School and energy-related projects at 15 other schools.
-
Stella’s Cafe downtown plans to close March 2
Not long after changing its name from Bit of Britain Tea Room to Stella’s Cafe, a downtown restaurant has announced plans to close its doors.
-
Bill would ease college credit transfers
Indiana college students worried about whether their credit hours will transfer to another university may get some relief if a proposed higher-education bill passes.
-
Court alters trial date for man accused in 1979 death case
A trial date has changed for a Riley man accused of a 1979 homicide.
-
Shift to online raises school cost concerns
Legislation that would require high school students in Indiana to take at least one online course is meeting resistance from some school administrators who say they can’t afford any more mandates from the state.
-
Cops nab man after squad car struck
A West Terre Haute man was arrested Monday after a police pursuit that began after his vehicle collided with a Terre Haute police car.
-
Victim unhurt when robbed by gunman
Terre Haute police were searching late Monday night for a suspect accused of using a gun to rob another person at about 7 p.m.
-
Man face gun charge after woman shot in leg
A Terre Haute man faces a misdemeanor firearms charge following an accidental shooting during the weekend.
-
Packing the hall
If you didn’t come early, the seats were hard to find.
-
Alternative-fuel project has Rose, ISU students all charged up
The future of Earth’s auto industry is intertwined with the career prospects of local university students, and a world-class team shined with green energy Sunday.
-
Montford Point Marine
In 1943, 19-year-old Ezell Odom was on the sandy beach of a tiny South Pacific island about 7,000 miles from his parent’s home in Terre Haute.
-
K-9 officer Shadow honored as a hero
A Terre Haute K-9 officer injured in the line of duty has been honored as a hero by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.
-
Freezin’ for a Reason
Hundreds lined up outside Hulman Center amid frigid air to participate in a warm-hearted cause.
-
Even as law, right-to-work dominates crackerbarrel
The flames of the right-to-work debate were gone, but the coals still seemed to smolder.
-
Vigo School Board to give OK on bonds for DeVaney project
The Vigo County School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the administration building, 686 Wabash Ave.
-
Bridging the gap to ‘forever’
They can be taken from their homes by strangers for reasons they may not understand, with no possessions other than the clothes they are wearing.
-
Students showcase keen problem-solving skills at Rose-Hulman
For the 16th straight year, Honey Creek Middle School students came out on top in the Wabash Valley MATHCOUNTS competition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
Ivy Tech to celebrate Black History Month
Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events at its campuses statewide.
-
Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies
Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
-
Giant welcome home for Steve
Terre Haute was suddenly home to thousands of cheering New York Giants fans Friday as residents welcomed Super Bowl champion Steve Weatherford back home for a parade.
-
‘One for Terre Haute,’ Steve tells crowd at North
“This one was for Terre Haute,” native son Steve Weatherford proclaimed Friday as he shared his Super Bowl victory with the community that helped send him on the path to a world championship.
-
Hometown support vital to success, Weatherford says
Steve Weatherford said Friday he wouldn’t be celebrating a Giants’ Super Bowl victory if not for the support he’s received from his hometown, his parents and mentors in his life.
-
Craning for a rare glimpse
A visitor from the Far East has naturalists flying to Linton, hoping some good comes from one bird’s bad directions.
-
Vigo’s primary election filings complete
The slate is set for the May 8 primary election, with the race for three at-large seats on the Vigo County Council drawing the largest pool of candidates at the county level.
-
Documentary on electric vehicles plays Sunday at Rose
The rising popularity of electric vehicles and their impact on the world eco-system is the focus of a documentary, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” being presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Hatfield Hall Theater.
-
Man gets 10-year sentence in battery case
A West Terre Haute man received a 10-year prison sentence Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for beating a friend caught in bed with the man’s wife.
-
Asian hooded crane lands in Greene County wildlife area
Bird watchers are flocking to a southwestern Indiana wildlife area to try to catch a glimpse of a crane usually spotted only in Asia.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
UPDATE: Fatal semi accident closes eastbound I-70 in Hendricks County
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Israeli Diplomats Targeted in India, Georgia
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
ShowBiz Minute: Houston, Grammys, BAFTAs
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Attempted Bomb Attack Stopped in Georgia
Kate Upton MLB 2K12 Commercial
Olympic Swimmer Proposes on Podium After Big Win
Scarlett Johansson's Bikini P-D-A
Whitney Houston Funeral Arrangements Set
Man Allegedly Drowns Wife While Scuba Diving
Sports Illustrated Cover Leaked
The 'Celebrity Apprentice' Cast Meets Donald Trump
Wash. becomes 7th state to okay same-sex marriage
Romijn's 60 Pound Weight Loss
Kissing contest heats up
Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested
Jacqueline Kennedy's personal papers released
Did Tyler Perry Have a Secret Wedding?
Iran denies Israeli embassy bombings
'Bachelor' Free Falls into the Ocean
Facebook Parenting: Father Posts Video Responding to Daughter's Post
Bobby Brown on Houston's Death
