By Brian M. Boyce
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.
