Churches' program helps people stretch their food dollars

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By BOB REEVES / Lincoln Journal Star

Lincoln-area residents can combat rising grocery prices  through the Angel Food program offered by two local churches.

Lincoln City Church, 5001 S. First St., joined the program in June. Each month, individuals or families may order boxes of food at a cost of $30, plus $1 handling.

The food is valued at an average retail price of $60 per box.

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Here’s the scene at a recent Angel Food distribution Saturday at Lincoln City Church. (Courtesy Photo)

Last month the church distributed 395 boxes, which was shipped frozen from Angel Food headquarters in Monroe, Ga., and boxed by local volunteers.

In April, Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Ninth and C streets, will have its first Angel Food distribution.

“Quinn Chapel is excited about the chance to provide a meaningful and much-needed service to our community, as well as the opportunity to expand our outreach efforts,” said Janelle King Turner, host site director at that church.

Anyone may order food boxes at either church. There are no income guidelines or other qualifications.

Users may select from a menu including meat, entrees, vegetables, fruits, desserts and other items. In addition, special meat boxes are available for $18-$20 with the purchase of a regular box.

People may place orders by visiting the Lincoln City Church office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.

At Quinn chapel, orders will be taken from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The deadline for April orders is April 6.

All orders must be paid in cash or food stamps — no personal checks. Orders may be picked up at the monthly distribution day, April 19.

Any food not picked up will be given to families in need, said Sharon Higgins of Lincoln City Church.

Volunteers from each church will travel to Council Bluffs, Iowa, early that morning to pick up the food.

The nonprofit Angel Food program began in 1994 as a small outreach ministry serving 34 families in rural Georgia, led by pastors Joe and Linda Wingo. It now serves more than 3,200 communities in 35 states and helps feed more than 500,000 families a month.

For more information, visit www.angelfoodministries.com.

Lincoln City Church also gets food orders from the Lincoln Crisis Pregnancy Center, Northeast Family Center, LEW (a home for the elderly and disabled), and other churches. Capitol City Christian Church takes orders two Sundays a month, but customers must pick up the food at Lincoln City Church.

Lincoln City Church was recently named one of the top Angel Food host sites in the country, ranking 79th out of about 4,000 sites, Higgins said.

Reach Bob Reeves at 473-7212 or breeves@journalstar.com.