Its not about real estate, its not about jobs, its not about me......or you, its about families, strengthening families, getting back to sense of community. Many families, in light of current economic cutbacks are struggling to keep up or just keep their heads above water. Families are working hard to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.
Several churches in local communities have become involved with a nation wide outreach program to help families keep good quality, healthy food on the table, Angel Food Ministeries. The First Church of God of Middle River is one of those Host Churches.
Pastor Scott Grogg and the leadership of the church wanted to institute a program that would be beneficial to the community as well as the church when they heard about Angel Food. Pastor Grogg told me "In a matter of 4 months, this just snowballed, from idea to fully rolled out". November, being the 7th month in operation, saw an increase to just under 400 orders being distributed! "With the current economic conditions, its no wonder that we have grown so quickly", stated Grogg.
According to people that I talked with, that had used the program previously, they like the program because they get a wide variety of food items while getting it far cheaper than if they went to the local grocery.
Its a simple process: you can order in person or online through the host website. There are several package offerings in each months menu aside the "basic" package- from beef, to chicken to specialty boxes, or fresh fruits and vegetables. On the menu each month, mark your ordering choices, pay for the order, and pick it up at the host site the following week.
Orders can be placed anytime before the cutoff date, which is one week before distribution of the food. Next month (December 2008) the cutoff date for orders is the 6th, while the distribution date will be the 13th. The host site will distribute new menus for the following month on distribution dates or you can always check menus online at: www.middleriverchurch.org
If you are not local, you can search the National website for your local host site at: http://www.angelfoodministries.com/
Saturday November 22 was distribution day and I watched in amazement as this group of volunteers worked together to insure that everyone that entered the church got their food as quickly and efficiently as possible. They all had a common tone in their voice of "JOY" in helping the surrounding community.
Volunteers were scattered throughout the church, doing a wide variety of jobs. From the greeting at the door, to check in, to boxing/bagging up the orders, to carrying purchases to the car, you could not have asked for a better group of volunteers. In the cafeteria style line, they each did their jobs with a smile and a cheerful "thank you, have a wonderful day"
Pastor Grogg and his wife, Heidi, were very busy as well taking orders for the December distribution. When they finally got a couple minutes to break, Pastor Grogg told me that he would not be surprised to see upwards of 1000 orders if they maintain the current pace from now until the cutoff date. That would be near a 250% increase in just one month! I would have to say that the people I talked with today, many first timers, said they were definitely ordering again next month as well as telling their neighbors and relatives.
I have been getting an Angel Food order for about the last 6 months and I must admit, it has helped my family. The significant decrease in income from the housing slump has tightened the budget, but you don't have to be struggling to take advantage of this program, as the brochure states, "If you eat, you qualify."
Even if you are not feeling the financial crunch as badly as some, who wouldn't want to save money on their food purchases? Maybe the money you save could go toward helping those that are currently struggling.
An elderly woman, who does not attend this church, or any church for that matter, called because she had heard about the Angel Food Ministry and wanted more information. She talked to the Pastor about the "Senior Box", which is a box of pre-packaged meals-like TV dinners. She was very interested, since she had a very limited food budget. The majority of her monthly fixed income had to go to medication that she needed.
That was a couple of months ago, but with the purchase of the Senior Box, she has been able to afford good quality food and maintain her medicine much more easily. She stated that her food bill is probably about 70% less than before Angel FOOD. Getting pre-packaged heat and eat meals that are healthier also means that she is eating better and spending less time in food preparation!
The thrill to be able to afford everything to meet her needs was soon dashed by the news that she has been diagnosed with cancer. Now undergoing treatment and an increase in medical expenses once again makes the struggle to keep quality food on the table tough.
But she is not the only one, as there are many more families that are making decisions between a house payment, utility payment or medicine, and food. Food seems to drop down the list when it comes to keeping their home or the family warm and healthy in the coming winter. These families need help over the hump.
Talking to many people that came in, I found, they were also donating a basic package or a few extra dollars toward a package, so that those less fortunate could keep food on the table. I was moved by the outpouring of help that most were offering, especially one little boy, whose mother was ordering a package for December. He gave the Pastor his only dollar to help someone else. It was very touching sitting at the Pastors desk watching this boy. You could see in his eyes that he was truly grateful to be able to help in some way, he was not enticed by Mom, he gave because he was moved to give.
This is the true service to community. There is a great need for this program in these troubled times. The significant growth rate of Angel Food at the Church of God at Middle River is proof of that. Each month more families are taking advantage of the opportunity to keep healthy, quality food on the table while struggling through these times.
Pastor Grogg and the congregation have set a goal to be able to distribute at least 50 of the special "Christmas Meals" to families in need this Christmas, in the surrounding community. At just $35 each, the Special package will feed a family of four but will truly lift the spirits of these families far more than can be counted by dollars and cents.
I am stepping up to the call by helping to achieve this goal and ask all who can to help make sure that our local families can enjoy a great meal together during this Christmas Season. 
If you would like more information on the Ministry at the Church of God at Middle River, you may contact Pastor Scott Grogg at 410-391-2555, or visit the website at: http://www.middleriverchurch.org/
Donations can be accepted or use the paypal button below to help. Every penny goes to purchase food for those that need assistance. I will be paying all fees incurred through Paypal, so you are assured that every dime you give goes to food for the families. No monies are kept by myself or the church, so 100% will go to help feed needy families. Be sure to check out the December 2008 menu.
Thank you on behalf of the struggling families of Baltimore County, any help to achieve our goal is greatly appreciated.
$35 Christmas Box $30 Basic Box
I want to help-$10 I want to help-$5
Click on any picture to see video of Distribution Day!
Stephen Luckett
LuckNet Real Estate Group