Angel Food distribution looks to help those in need
Supermarkets and chains of superstores know we're all trying to stretch our grocery budgets as best we can. They're offering sales and price reductions like we haven't seen in a long, long time.
But sometimes that total on the cash register is still shockingly high.
Several churches in DuPage County and beyond - including Immanuel Presbyterian in Warrenville, New Generation Christian Center in Aurora, Horizon Community Church in Downers Grove and Word of Life Lutheran in Naperville - are offering an alternative.
The churches have partnered with the national Angel Food distribution program to sell boxes of pantry staples and offer fresh produce at a price that's at least a quarter less than you'd pay at the store.
While the program aims to help families and seniors struggling to make ends meet, there are no qualification criteria, says David Malone, Angel Food host site director at Immanuel Presbyterian. Anyone looking to save money on groceries is welcome to order. Orders are taken in advance and food is distributed monthly.
Malone tells us more about the program and the effort at Immanuel, which began the distribution in May.
Q. What is your mission?
A. The mission of Angel Food @ Immanuel is to partner with other organizations - like Warrenville Youth and Family Services and Iglesia La Roca Eterna, the Hispanic church that meets at Immanuel on Sunday afternoons - to provide low-cost, high-quality food to others regardless of income or any other qualification.
Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that goal?
A. Angel Food does this best through its Signature box that contains roughly 22 pounds of food with about 17 items. This box is created to feed a family of four for about a week or a senior for about a month.
The April Signature box cost 27 percent less than comparable food at Aldi, 33 percent less than at Woodman's, 39 percent less than at Dominick's and 42 percent less than at Jewel in an strict item-for-item comparison.
Angel Food also offers others boxes specially made for the needs of seniors and those with gluten allergies. Other specials boxes, like a fruit and vegetables box or meat boxes, are available as add-ons.
Q. Who do you serve?
A. Angel Food @ Immanuel serves any who wish to participate. There are other host sites in the Chicago area, for instance New Generation Christian Center in Aurora, Horizon Community Church in Downers Grove and Word of Life Lutheran in Naperville.
Q. When and why did the program start? How has it grown?
A. Angel Food @ Immanuel partnered with this national ministry earlier this year and joins more than 5,200 host sites in more than 40 states. Each month, more than 45,000 volunteers distribute more than 500,000 boxes of food.
Q. What kind of success have you had?
A. This ministry was begun to help serve neighboring communities. In May more than 40 percent of participants were not affiliated with Immanuel Presbyterian. In June this rose to 50 percent. Our goal is to serve at least 130 families a month by the end of 2009 - the equivalent of 1 percent of Warrenville's population.
Q. What challenges do you face?
A. The biggest challenge is getting the word out about this simple, no-nonsense ministry. With unemployment and cost-of-living rising, each person knows someone who could benefit from this resource. Angel Food is able to process food stamp payments through Illinois LINK, which can help stretch the food dollars of the most needy.
Q. What do you wish the community knew about Angel Food @ Immanuel?
A. I wish those in the community understood that anyone can participate in Angel Food - there are no restrictions, applications or income qualifications. Angel Food uses its buying power to act as a distributor, purchasing fresh and wholesome food for distribution directly to program patrons through local churches. The ministry does not accept any corporate donations of food, which guarantees no day-old or near-expired food is distributed.
Q. How can readers get involved?
A. Readers can help introduce Angel Food to those they know by downloading our monthly menu from our Web site and distributing copies to neighbors, friends or family members who might be interested. Angel Food @ Immanuel hopes to partner with other social service, fraternal or religious organizations to distribute fliers and spread the word about this resource to all who would like an opportunity to spend less and still get good, wholesome food.
Vital statistics
Number of contacts per month: 73 boxes were distributed in May through Angel Food @ Immanuel; organizers hope to have about 130 people ordering monthly by the end of the year
Funding: Labor and supplies are donated; monetary donations pay for extra boxes of food to be given to needy families through Warrenville Youth and Family Services
Donations to other groups: At least one food box given out through Warrenville Youth and Family Services in May and in June
Full-time employees: 0
Volunteers: 25, ranging from preteens to retirees
Wish list: Extra boxes of food for distribution to needy families in Warrenville
To donate
Address: 29W260 Batavia Road, Warrenville, 60555
Online: immanuelpresbyterian.net/angelfood/ and type "donated box" in the Comments field of the order form
To volunteer or for info
Call: (630) 929-3923 and leave name, phone number and e-mail address
E-mail: angelfood@immanuelpresbyterian.net
<p class="factboxheadblack">Angel Food @ Immanuel food distribution</p> <p class="News"><b>Order deadline:</b> July 12</p> <p class="News"><b>Distribution date:</b> 9 to 10 a.m. July 25</p> <p class="News"><b>Where: </b>Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 20W260 Batavia Road, Warrenville IL 60555</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $30 for Signature box, $28 for a senior box, $25 for an allergen-free box</p> <p class="News"><b>Order:</b> Online or in person at the church, where cash, check money order or LINK payments are accepted</p> <p class="News"><b>Details:</b> Next distribution date is Aug. 29</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 929-3923, <a href="mailto:angelfood@immanuelpresbyterian.net">angelfood@immanuelpresbyterian.net</a> or <a href="http://www.immanuelpresbyterian.net/angelfood/" target="new">immanuelpresbyterian.net/angelfood/</a></p>