Our Fraternity’s Apostolate
Blessed John XXIII Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order has identified the Angel Food Ministries as our Apostolate. During our regular monthly fraternity meetings, a second collection is taken and donated to Angel Food. The donated money goes to assist families who have little or no income to be able to afford the reduced food packages that the Angel Food Ministries offers.
The following is an article that appeared in the Thursday, May 1, 2008, edition of The Dispatch and the Rock Island Argus written by Reggie Jarrell (
rjarrell@qconline.com):
Quality Food for Low Price
Clipping coupons, buying food in bulk and shopping at discount grocery stores are ways to counter rising food prices, but another option is buying from a co-op offering brand-name foods at low prices.
“We just want to help people; that’s what we are here for,” said Sandy Muse, director of Angel Food Ministries at New Life Fellowship Church, Moline. “We can take their dollar and stretch it further.”
“As the price of gas goes up, I know we’re going to have more people who can really use this,” Ms. Muse said. “It’s for anyone-anyone can buy. It’s not just for low-income people.”
Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit non-denominational food organization open to anyone regardless of income levels. Food valued between $60 and $75 may be brought in “units” for $30.
Five distribution locations, called “host sites,” are in the Quad-Cities area-three in Illinois, two in Iowa.
The New Life Fellowship Church location processes Illinois orders.
According to its Web site,
www.angelfoodministries.com, the organization is dedicated to providing food relief and contributing to benevolent outreach in communities throughout the United States. Formed by 34 Monroe, Ga., families in 1994, the program has grown to 35 states.
Menus and food selections change monthly. Orders are placed once a month, with each unit weighing about 21 pounds. A unit includes several types and cuts of meat as well as other fresh, frozen and packaged food items. There is no limit to the number of units that can be purchased.
After the purchase of a unit, participants also can order a box of “meat specials,” from chicken to steak, ranging from $15 to $20. There also is no limit to the number of specialty boxes that can be purchased.
Food from national suppliers is transported from a Georgia warehouse to the Moline office in about two weeks. All orders are distributed the same day, with people informed in advance of the food pickup date.
Officials said the products are “high quality, name-brand” items, not government surplus, dented, damaged, seconds or day old items.
“Many of these things they (people) have seen in restaurants,” said Ms. Muse. “This is restaurant quality food.”
There are no applications, qualification criteria, or minimum or maximum income levels for participants. Angel Food Ministries participates in the food stamp program and uses the voucher system.
Officials said those using the co-op are grateful, some with tears in their eyes.
“We’ve had clients who haven’t had meat for two years (because) they couldn’t afford it,” said Ms. Muse. “Or young families who can’t afford anything but macaroni and cheese.”
“In our country, to see these things going on, it kind of shocks you, it’s so sad,” said Ms. Muse.
Angel Food Ministries
New Life Fellowship Church, 2345 19th St., Moline
$30 per unit
For more information: (309) 762-7314, ext. 413
