If you are looking for a way of stretching your food budget that doesn't involve clipping coupons, look into Angel Food Ministries. Angel Food Ministries distributes low-cost food once a month, regardless of your income. The way it works is this:
1. You order a package of food make a payment and put down a $4 deposit on a plastic container for the food. (some locations just ask you to bring a large box to pick up your order)
2. On "Angel Food day", you go to the distribution center (usually a church or community center) and pick up the plastic tub.
3. When you reach the next order day, return the plastic tub and place the next order.
Each order of food costs $25 - $30, but there are "add-ons" you can include, such as extra orders of meat items. Purchasing the same items at the grocery store would cost twice as much. I find it is a good supplement to my family's groceries and it does save us quite a bit of money on our food bill.
Here is a sample monthly menu from Angel Food Ministries:
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ALL THIS FOR THE LOW COST OF JUST $25
** One or more specials available only with the purchase of a regular unit. **
(2 lb. Thick Cut Pork Chops (6 ct.), 2 lb. Beef Ribs, 1 lb. Rib Eye Steaks (2 x 8 oz.), 1 lb. Lean Beef Patties (4 x 4 oz.), 1 lb. Italian Sausage)
((8) 8-oz. Choice Sirloin Strips)
(10 lb. Breaded Chicken Tenders)
(Each Assorted Box Contains: (5) Ruby Red Grapefruit, (6) Tangerines, (4) Golden Delicious Apples, (4) Blush Pears, (4) Red Delicious Apples, (4) Rome Apples, (6) Florida Oranges, (4) Navel Oranges, (6) Tangelos)
(Each Gift Box Contains: (1) 9 oz. Beef Sausage, (1) 9 oz. Beef Salami, (1) 9 oz. Beef Summer Sausage, (3) 7 oz. Cheese (Cheddar, Smokey Cheddar, Pepper Jack))
(Each Box Contains: (1) 12 oz. House Blend, (1) 12 oz. Hazelnut Cream, (1) 12 oz. Guatemala Antiquate)
There are distribution sites in 35 states, so check to see if there is one near you.
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I've done this for years and it's really expanding. At first I had to drive across town to a church that did this, now it's down the street and there's many churches in town that do it. I've never seen the "plastic tub" idea, usually they have you bring a box, and the church volunteers also end up packaging some of the food into the boxes it comes in. I have a rolling ice chest that I bring for this, which really helps with the frozen items.
Some drawbacks: you can't choose the food, and some of it might be food that you don't regard as healthy. Sometimes they include some overprocessed foods, things you wouldn't buy (my daughter loves that because we get junk food!) You can choose to just leave that food behind -- they take leftover food to a food pantry to give to others. But the food is certainly safe and wholesome, fresh and good, and it's absolutely a bargain. It helps to have a big freezer!
Perhaps the plastic tub requirement is just used in my area. It does make things very convenient!
I haven't noticed too much processed or "unhealthy" food in my Angel Food selections, other than a few desert items or battered chicken. You're right, our kids usually eat that. Angel Food does expand a food budget. I'm looking forward to moving into a new house next month and a chest freezer is going to be one of my first investments!
who can my church get invold in this program who can we do angel food in rhode island call me 904-655-4933