ANGEL FOOD MINISTRies HELPS GIVE FAMILIES A Welcome Price BREAK

With skyrocketing gas prices also driving up the prices of a lot of other things, most notably food, a lot of families and senior citizens often themselves a little short on funds when the try to provide nutritious, balanced meals.
A local church, though, is trying to help ease the financial crunch for food, by providing food packages each month at a greatly discounted cost.
Praise Assembly of God Church is participating in the Angel Food Ministries, a program which originated in Louisiana and has now spread to 43 states that is devoted to providing high-quality food at low prices.
Through the Angel Food program, pay $30 for a box of food that, if bought separately, would cost between $50 and $70.
“This food is all real good food,” Praise Assembly pastor Tim Cooper explained. “The packages include a lot of meat, vegetables, fresh fruits, canned and boxed goods, etc. Nothing is out of date.”
Rev. Cooper said that the program is able to provide the food at such a low cost because it is bought directly from the manufacturers.
“A minister in Louisiana, who was helping feed 32 families from his back porch decided that he would try to help others in the same situation,” he explained.
Rev. Cooper said that the minister first approached local grocery stores, then as the program grew, started dealing with distributors. Finally, they were able  to start dealing straight with the food manufacturers to obtain the lowest prices.
The Angel Food program is open to anyone who wants to participate, and one only has to participate whenever they want to. Here’s how it works:
At designated times during the first two weeks of the month, a person wishing to participate in the program goes to Praise Assembly of God and signs up. They pay the $30 fee (either in cash or in food stamps). First-time participants must also pay a $4 container fee which the food is packed in. Then, on the last Saturday of the month, the food is brought to the church, and individuals go and pick it up.
According to Jodie Cooper, Rev. Cooper’s wife who helps coordinate the program, the food menu offered through the program varies each month.
For May, the menu includes beef filets, chicken breast filets, pork steaks, corn niblets, green beans, fresh onions, cereal, and much more. (The complete menu can be found at the end of this article.)
Individuals can order more than one regular box of food if they so desire, and,  in addition, those that purchase a regular box are eligible to buy various specials. These specials, which are generally around $20 or less, and are primarily meat. The May menu offers three different specials – a grill box special, a steak special and a chicken special.
Rev. Cooper said that the church does not make any money on the program (in fact, they have to spend quite a bit of money on gas to go to Bowling Green to pick up the food each month), they are doing it to help the community.
“We felt there is a real need for food in the community,” he said. “Our main goal is to reach out to those who really need it the most, but the Angel Food program is available to anyone.
“And, anyone who participates in the program is not taking away from anyone else,” he continued. “In fact, the more participants we have, the better it is because the food can be purchased even cheaper.”
Rev. Cooper said that Praise Assembly currently is taking between 50-75 orders per month from people in Adair, Green and Taylor counties. Higher Praise Church in Russell County and Living Word Ministries in Burkesville are also participating in the Angel Food program.
“We want to get more participants,” he said. “If all three churches get at least 100 participants, they’ll bring the food here and we won’t have to drive to get it.”
Anyone that is interested in the program can call the church at 270-385-9537 for more information, or just come in and place their order during the times listed below the menu.
The church is also seeking volunteers to help box and give out the food. If you are interested, contact the church.