Non-denominational ministry offers chance to buy cheap, heavenly chow

Once a month, people gather at Abundant Life Church not as a congregation, but as shoppers of Angel Food Ministries, a non-profit, non-denominational organization that began in Monroe, Georgia in 1994 and moved to Athens in March.

Angel Food Ministries provides people with the opportunity to purchase quality foods for nearly half the cost as grocery stores. Menus for the upcoming food distributions are placed on the Web site, where shoppers can then call and place their orders at the church, receive a pick up date and come to collect their food at the scheduled time. Abundant Life Church member Susan Hopkins said that she was impressed with the variety and quality of food offered.

"It's a wonderful ministry," Hopkins said. "I participate and have ordered the food myself and been very happy with it. The food is delicious."

After hearing about Angel Food Ministries from some colleagues, Pastor Bob Gall said that he grew interested in bringing the operation to Athens and now hopes to extend it to other churches.

"I've written letters to 70 churches, and what I'm hoping is that they will affiliate with us," Gall said. "I just know that there are a lot of people out there who are struggling, and churches who are out there join us to help those who are struggling."

Gall estimated that, currently, Angel Food Ministries is assisting nearly 20 to 30 families a month in Athens and surrounding counties. But by spreading knowledge of the organizations existence, and by potentially involving other churches in the Athens area, he said that the amount of families, students and people Angel Food Ministries could aid is limitless.

"My hope is that we can be helping hundreds or thousands of families in this county if we have the cooperation of churches and if people know that this service is available," Gall said. "I think that it will catch on. The thing is, it is not just for people at the poverty line. There are a lot of people in the working middle class who are really stretched, and this will allow them to stretch their food dollars further."

Angel Food Ministries boasts that one is able to order $60 worth of food at the cost of $30. Gall said that he knew a woman who was skeptical, and tested this by ordering food from Angel Food Ministries, and then went to the grocery store and bought the same thing. According to Gall, she spent $30 on a box of food from Angel Food Ministries, and ended up spending $59 at the grocery store.

"I think she was really surprised," Gall said. "It's a whole lot cheaper than buying the same thing at a grocery store."

The next food distribution for Angel Food Ministries is scheduled to take place July 3 at Abundant Life Church, located off of Hooper Rd. More information on Angel Food Ministries at Abundant Life Church is available at theabundantlifetoday.org.