How to Start A Food Ministry

One of the most rewarding activities that any churchrelief to communities throughout the United
or other group can undertake is a food ministry. AsStates.Non-profit and non-denominational, Angel Food
someone who has helped start food ministriesMinistries was started in February, 1994, feeding 34
before, I must warn you that it is also a tremendousfamilies that first month. Since then it has expanded
amount of work. Don't jump into it on a whim orto more than 30 states, feeding well over 100,000
without doing sufficient planning.A food ministry canfamilies in a typical month.Angel Food Ministries works
take one of several forms. A soup kitchen is thethrough local churches and other community
most familiar to many people. Increasingly, though,organizations, which are designated as "host sites."
food ministries are being built around the idea ofHost sites purchase units, or boxes, of groceries
providing groceries to individuals and families in thethrough the organization for distribution to needing
community.Whatever type of food ministry youhouseholds. The food is restaurant-grade meats,
decide to start, it is crucial that you have the fullfrozen vegetables, dairy products, etc. It is all
backing and encouragement of your church orfirst-quality, name-brand food--never "seconds" or
group's governing board. A significant number of"day old" type goods.There's information on how to
members of the group must be honestly committedbecome an Angel Food Ministries host site at along
to putting in the time and energy to keep it going onwith complete details of how the program
a long-term basis.A relatively new concept is that ofworks.Whether you start your own food ministry
outsourcing food ministry organizing to an outsidefrom scratch, or affiliate with an organization such as
group that is experienced with sourcing groceries,Angel Food Ministries, I know that you will feel richly
obtaining them at good prices, and helping to set upblessed. Get everyone on board, do your planning,
a distribution system. This does not take away fromand--assuming the commitment is there--you will
local church members the responsibility for makingsucceed.Sarah Sandori is the food and entertaining
the activity a success. What it does do is relieve youcolumnist for the Solid Gold Info Writers Consortium.
from having to reinvent the wheel.My favorite groupHave you ever wanted to be able to exactly
along this line is Angel Food Ministries, based induplicate a favorite dish from a favorite restaurant?
Monroe, Georgia, and dedicated to providing grocery