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Highlands Today

'Angel Food' Helping Families With Food Bills

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By GARY PINNELL Highlands Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 28, 2008

Updated: 07/29/2008 03:33 pm

SEBRING - The red truck finally arrives, stops at 4541 Thunderbird Road, and backs into the parking lot of Grace Bible Church.

The driver breaks the seal, opens the door, and frozen air rolls out in a fog. Four of the burliest volunteers jump into the reefer unit, and begin unloading food. Three dozen more volunteers grab the boxes and stack them on tables inside the church activities room.

"This is a non-profit, but it's not for..." begins Nancy Vincent. "It's for every single person. It's not related to income."

It's Angel Food ministries, a non-denominational food program founded by the Reverends Joe and Linda Wingo in Monroe, Ga. The organization delivers food to 500,000 families in 35 states.

Martha Giller was there Saturday to help distribute food, but she also buys a box for herself.

"This is my second time," Giller said. "It's a bargain. You only pay $30 for it, and in May we got some chicken breasts, chicken nuggets, pizza, pork chops, a pumpkin pie..."

There are only two in her family, so it's lasted for two months. "I've still got some in the freezer."

Last month, which was the third time Grace Bible Church has distributed the food, more than 500 orders were taken, said Vincent, who drove to Polk County to buy the food, then decided to bring the program to Highlands County

It works like this: pay $30 in cash, a check or food stamps, about three weeks before the delivery. On distribution Saturdays, come by between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to get the food. Orders that aren't picked up are donated.

Each customer gets a box of food, and everyone gets the same items. On July 26, that included a Crock Pot dinner, 1.5 pounds of boneless pork filets, breaded frying chicken, meatloaf and gravy, Hot Pockets, and a dozen other items. Some are brand names, others are generic.

There are also monthly meat or fruit and veggie specials. In August, for instance, there's a 7-pound box of sirloins, chicken, ribs and hamburger patties for $20; 4.5 pounds of New York strips and bacon-wrapped filets for $20; three chicken combos stuffed cordon bleu or broccoli cheese or Kiev for $18; or eight pounds of apples and oranges, plus heads of lettuce and cabbage, potatoes, cucumbers, a cantaloupe and a honeydew for $18.

Customers can come to the church for an order form, or they can call and ask for a form sent by mail or fax.

August Menu

1.5 pounds 4 Ribeye Steaks

5 poundsChicken Leg Quarters

28 ouncesChicken Breast Nuggets

28 ouncesSalisbury Steak Entree

32 ouncesBreaded Chicken Breasts

16 ouncesSmoked Sausage

16 ouncesFrozen Vegetables

16 ouncesFrozen Carrots

16 ouncesFrozen Spinach

10Frozen Waffles

16 ouncesBean Soup Mix

1 poundRice

9 ouncesInstant Potatoes

15 ouncesSliced Peaches

32 ouncesBorden Shelf Stable Milk

12Eggs

1Dessert

The deadline is Monday, Aug. 3. Distribution day is Aug. 23.

Call 382-1085 in Sebring.

The Ministry Center delivers items to Lake Placid. Call Melinda Brown at 699-9922.

To download an application, go to www.gbcconnected.org

Gary Pinnell can be reached at gpinnell@highlandstoday.com or 863 386-5828

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