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Program offers a heavenly deal on food
Published September 4, 2008
SEGUIN — Every month, manna takes on a different form.
And each month, Leanna Laubach’s family is happy to partake of heavenly offerings like pizza, steaks and stir-fry vegetables.
The Laubachs, of Marion, regularly purchase at least one box from Angel Food Ministries and also volunteer time helping to organize food items for others.
Families of all sizes, religious backgrounds and income levels are welcome to save money by participating in the program. Simply pay $30, and two weeks later, pick up a box of groceries.
“There are no income guidelines, it’s not a sliding scale, everyone pays one price,” Laubach said. “With a 14-year-old, a 15-year-old and my 36-year-old husband, you can’t beat the value. And it’s good quality food by companies like Stouffer’s, Banquet and Borden — for $30 you get all this food for a lot less than you pay at the grocery store.”
Angel Food Ministries is a national organization that provides groceries at low prices to families all over the country. Dean Webb, Angel Food coordinator for the Seguin First United Methodist Church, said to participate, interested families need only visit angelfoodministries.com , contact a their chosen church host site, pay for an order and bring the receipt on the designated pickup day.
“This is for everyone — those who do not have resources to buy groceries or just anyone who wants to save money,” Webb said. “It’s like Costco or Sam’s Club without the membership fees.”
The basic grocery box is $30 and is designed to feed a family of four for a week.
September’s offering includes several items such as sirloin strip steaks, boneless pork filet, green beans, macaroni and cheese, one dozen eggs and a dessert. The senior box, new in September, will offer 10 pre-made individual meals for $25. Webb said that the senior box is designed for older people, but is ideal for hungry diners of all ages.
With the purchase of the basic or senior box, additional specials are available for $20, including a box of assorted meat for grilling, a collection of five pre-made family dinners or a $19 fruit and veggie box.
“The menus fluctuate month-to-month,” Webb explained. “You can look at the menus and specials on the Angel Food Web site.”
Webb said that the Seguin FUMC became a host site in 2007, and usually serves 80-100 people each month. Other host sites in Seguin include Second Baptist Church and Living Waters Worship Center, with many additional sites in the surrounding area.
Webb said Angel Food Ministries accepts the Lone Star Card, though FUMC only allows Lone Star payments on the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each registration period.
All of the sites have the same order deadline, which falls on Sept. 14 this month, and the same pickup day, which this month falls on Sept. 27.
The deadlines are available at Angel Food’s Web site or by calling the host site. However, church membership is not required at any of the local host sites.
Second Baptist accepts orders at the church office, 609 S. Guadalupe St., from Monday through Friday.
Living Waters allows credit card orders online at www.livingwatersworship.com and other payment types in the office, 3325 Highway 46 North, Tuesday through Friday.
FUMC allows orders to be placed at the church office, 710 N. Austin St., during the week or on Sundays.
Each host site may have slightly different rules or preferences for payment or pickup, visit Angel Food ministries online to find the closet site and contact information or call the chosen site for details.
Webb said that on pickup day, the FUMC site has donation areas set up for those who simply want to donate boxes — or individual items they don’t want — to Christian Cupboard or the Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter.
Seguin resident Barbara Jones said the service is not just for big families, but is also convenient for single people or retirees.
Jones said she lives alone, but usually purchases boxes for herself and her daughter in San Antonio.
“I live on Social Security and it really helps out my food budget,” she said. “I like how you can go online and see the menu, and I’m really looking forward to trying the senior boxes with complete meals, all you have to do is put them in the oven.”
Webb said that Angel Food boxes may not suit all tastes, but the program does allow a chance for anyone to save money on good food.
“It’s not leftovers or anything, this is good quality food like the kind of items sold to restaurants or available in the grocery store,” he said. “It’s also a lot of food for the money, whether it’s for a family on a budget, or for people who don’t have trouble purchasing groceries. This is really for anyone who wants to save money.”
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