Food Where It's Needed

Times are tough for a lot of people, and you don't have to be destitute and homeless to need help making ends meet. The staff and volunteers at the Dickson City Assembly of God church know that all too well and they are doing something about it.

They have joined forces with Country Alliance Church in Ransom which, for some time, has been ordering discount food boxes from Monroe, Ga.-based Angel Food Ministries, a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States. The program began in 1994 with 34 families and has grown to serve hundreds of thousands of families every month across 35 states.

Angel Food is available in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $30 per unit. Each month's menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $60. Generally, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month.

There are a number of different boxes to choose from, including a seafood box, boxes with combinations of meats, and a fruit and vegatable box. There's even an allergen-free box.

Anyone can take advantage of the program: There are no applications to complete or income qualifications to meet, and, yes, the program accepts food stamps. "If you eat, you qualify," is a standard Angel Food Ministries slogan.

"They can get food so cheaply because they cut out the middle-man," said Sue Hull, the administrator of the program at Dickson City Assembly of God. "And the result is that we can help everybody with their bottom line." Orders are taken once each month, and the food boxes arrive at Country Alliance the following week, where DC Assembly staffers pick them up.

Dickson City Assembly of God is at 1618 Main St. in Dickson City. The church will be accepting orders for the June shipment at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 7, and Sunday, June 14. It will also take orders Friday, June 12, 5-6:30 p.m. Payment must be made at the time you order; they accept debit cards, money orders, cash or food stamps. You can also mail an order to the church office at 508 Johnson St., Dickson City, PA 18510. Include a money order and a stamped, self-addressed envelope in order to get a receipt. Distribution day is Saturday, June 20. To pick up your food you must bring your receipt and a container for the food. Orders must be picked up on the distribution day.

For an order form that lists all the boxes available, send an e-mail to dcangelfoodsh@yahoo.com or call the church at 489-8321.

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