Angel Food Ministries

At the end of June, I participated in Angel Food Ministries. If you are not familiar with them, here is a quick summary. Through this outreach program, you can buy groceries for a discounted price. You pay $30.00 for the "signature" box and receive groceries that might cost you between $40 to $60 at the regular grocery store. They also have other specialty boxes like one for senior citizens and another for people with gluten allergies.
The nice thing about this program is that it helps your everyday family who may not qualify for food stamps, but may be struggling to put food on the table. There are no income qualifications, in fact, they don't ask about your income at all!
I had heard about this program in a frugal living forum and decided to give it a try. First, I went to http://www.angelfoodministries.com/. I checked out the menu and it seemed like a good value. The menu is different every month. I was able to place my order online before the deadline(although you can pay in person if you like.)

There are several churches in Tallahassee who are host sites for this program including:
Calvary Chapel Tallahassee
Church of Christ
Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church
Presence of God Ministries, Inc.
Wildwood Church Our Father's Storehouse

I chose Calvary Chapel because it was closest to my home. On a Saturday morning 2 weeks later, I went to pick up my order. I have to admit that I was nervous about the whole procedure and the quality of the food. When I got to the church, they had everything organized in a drive -through manner. They were so nice! I didn't feel embarrassed or uncomfortable at all. They even carried the boxes out to my car!
The quality of the food was fine. Nothing was dented, damaged or out of date. I ordered 3 boxes and my favorite turned out to be the fruits and veggie box because I think it was the best value.I got alot of produce and we were able to eat it all before it spoiled.
I think this outreach would be most helpful to seniors or families who don't have the time or inclination to use coupons.

Here is the new menu for August.

SIGNATURE BOX $30.00
1.5 lb. Ribeye Steaks (4 x 6 oz.)
3 lb. IQF Split Chicken Breast
1 lb. Boneless Center Cut PorkChops
2 lb. Mac &?Beef Dinner Entrée
1.5 lb. Breaded All White MeatChicken Nuggets
1 lb. 80/20 Lean Ground Beef
1 lb. Bake or Fry Fish Sticks(32 sticks)
1 lb. Frozen Corn
1 lb. Frozen Baby Lima Beans
1 ct. Cello-Wrapped Iceberg Lettuce
2 lb. Sweet Potatoes
15 oz. Pork & Beans
1 lb. Rice
32 oz. 2% Shelf Stable Milk
Dozen Eggs
Dessert

AUGUST SPECIAL #1
6.5 lb. Assorted Meat Grill Box $23.00
1.5 lb. Bone-In New York Strip Steaks (2 x 12 oz.)
2 lb. Boston Butt Pork Chops (4 x 8 oz.)
2 lb. Lean Hamburger Steaks (4 x 8 oz.)
1 lb. Italian Sausage with Cheese

AUGUST SPECIAL #2
4.5 lb. Steak Combo $22.00
2.5 lb. Ribeye Steaks (4 x 10 oz.)
2 lb. Sirloin Steak (4 x 8 oz.)

AUGUST SPECIAL #3
10 lb. Assorted Chicken Grill Box $22.00
5 lb. IQF Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
4 lb. Leg Quarters
17 oz. Ready to Cook Cornbread Dressing

AUGUST SPECIAL #4
Fresh Fruit and Veggie Box $22.00
3 lb. Premium Fresh Idaho Baking Potatoes
2 lb. Premium New Crop Large-Medium Yellow Onions
1 head Premium Fresh California Sleeve Romaine Lettuce
1 bag Fresh Gourmet Caesar Salad Croutons (5 oz.)
1 pint Premium Fresh Vine-Ripened Grape Tomatoes
1 head Premium Fresh Green Cabbage
1 lb. Premium Sweet Cello-Pack Carrots
6 Premium Tree-Ripened Peaches
1 lb. Premium Fresh California White Seedless Grapes
1 Premium Fresh California Vine-Ripened Honeydew Melon
1 Premium Fresh California Vine-Ripened Cantaloupe
4 Premium California Valencia Oranges
4 Premium California Large Juicy Lemons

You san even find recipes for the menu items either on the AFN website itself or on www.hillbillyhousewife.com/AngelFood .