With the economy in the worse condition since the Great Depression, rising food costs are a hindrance to some and a disaster to others. Tracy Collins of the Christian Training Center in Franklin said interest in food programs are in high demand. The Center is involved with Angel Food Ministries and serves as a volunteer coordinator. Collins said the Center has been involved with the food ministry, which provides lower-cost food to anyone, since 2000. “The demand for the boxes of food from Angel has doubled in the last six months. Last month we had 220 orders for the regular food boxes in Franklin alone,” she said. Grace Presbyterian Church in Franklin serves as a main distribution point, and the Center is a pickup location also, Collins said. “We are blessed that Grace wanted to help with the distribution,” she said. Other area churches are involved as well. “Many more churches are buying food now that they distribute to the needy,” Collins said. The churches are urging people to buy for people they know who are needy.

By buying food from first rate suppliers at substantial volume discounts, Angel Food Ministries is able to provide families with approximately $65 worth of quality nutritious food for $30. Angel Food Ministries does not use out-of-date food or inferior products.

Each month’s menu is different and consists of fresh, frozen and packaged food. Angel Food is purchased from the nation’s top food suppliers. Providing quality, nutritious food at significant discounts on a regular basis is one practical way to give people a “hand up” during difficult times. The cost for a box of Angel Food is $30. There is no purchase limit for boxes of Angel Food. There are no applications or qualifications necessary to purchase. The food for the Western North Carolina area comes from the Angel headquarters in Monroe, Ga., Collins said. The food is then taken to Grace Presbyterian, where customers receive it.

Comparison shopping nationwide in various grocery stores has revealed that the average retail value for the same food items would be approximately $65. Generally, one box of Angel Food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month.

Each month, Angel Food Ministries also offers “specialty boxes” of steak, chicken, pork or other foods. This bonus program affords participants additional food choices at a great value. To better help families in need, Angel Food Ministries participates in the Food Stamp Program. This program is designed to help low-income families buy the food they need for good nutrition. Each month, by processing the most offline Food Stamp vouchers in the country, Angel Food is helping feed approximately 100,000 people in the United States.

There are no restrictions, conditions or forms to fill out to purchase Angel Food. The food relief program is open to one and all. Anyone may purchase an unlimited number of boxes of Angel Food by placing an order with a local Angel Food host site.

Each month’s dates for ordering and receiving the food boxes varies by location. Orders can be placed with the Center or Franklin Covenant Church weekdays from 11 am. to 5 p.m. Orders can be picked up at the Center or Grace Presbyterian from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Orders are due by Monday, March 16, to be picked up on Saturday, March 21.

Local participants include the Christian Training Center in Franklin, call Jolie at (828)524-5454; Franklin Covenant Church, (828)524-8854; Grace Presbyterian Church, (828)369-6800; Prentiss Church of God, (828)369-3885; Grace Bible Church in Mountain City, Ga., (706) 746- 5823; Living Word Revival Center in Hayesville, (706) 994-1690, (828) 389-3308; and United Christian Ministries of Jackson in Sylva, (828) 586-8228. For more information and to see this month’s menu, visit www.angelfoodministries.com.