Vineyard Community Church, a host site for a Georgia-based organization that provides a box full of nutritious food for a reasonable price once a month, has announced that the deadline for October orders is approaching.
Nanette M. Scoville, Vineyard Community Church host site director for Angel Food Ministries, said the church has been involved with the program for two years as of November.
The program was started in Monroe, Ga., in 1994, by Joe and Linda Wingo. The couple wanted to provide food for their friends and neighbors who were struggling financially.
When Angel Food Ministries first began, the program provided services for 34 families. Now the nonprofit, non-denominational organization is helping more than 500,000 families a month across 35 states.
“The ministry has been in existence for about 13 years. It started in a small church and now feeds hundreds of thousands of people every month through thousands of churches around the country,” Scoville said.
She said Vineyard also found the need in the community for a discount food program.
“Individuals needed a way to purchase inexpensive food that was more nutritious for their family,” Scoville said.
“The food is cheaper this way because it is a ministry, so there is no profit in the food channel and all of us are volunteers that distribute the food at our churches,” she added.
Vineyard Community Church is currently providing Angel Food Ministries services for 250 families. In the past, it peaked at providing food for 450 families before some moved out of the area once they could not find work.
Anyone can purchase the box of food for $30, which can either feed a family of four for a week or one adult for a month.
The menu changes each month with new fresh and frozen foods, which averages about $60 in retail price. The boxes of food do not contain any secondhand items, damaged or out-dated goods, day-old breads or produce that is too ripe.
The October menu includes such items like New York strip steaks, steak fajita strips, breaded white meat chicken tenders, pasta, fresh apples, frozen mixed vegetables, flour tortilla wraps, eggs and marinara sauce, among others.
Speciality boxes can also be ordered for $20.
“People can order whatever they want and in the quantity they want,” Scoville said.
“Anyone can buy the food, no pre-qualifying is necessary,” she said. “We accept cash, money orders and food stamps when someone orders in person at the church and anyone can order online and pay by credit/debit card.”
She said the face-to-face deadline at Vineyard Community Church for October’s menu is Saturday from 9-11 a.m. The deadline for online ordering is Thursday.
Individuals can order a box of food online through the Angel Food Ministries link on the Vineyard Community Church Web site at: www.capevineyard.com.
Vineyard Community Church is located at 923 S.E. 47th Terrace.