Angel Food Ministries Serves Algonquin with Affordable Food

Every month, the discipleship committee of St. John’s Lutheran Church distributes between 30 and 160 boxes of low priced, high quality food to Algonquin area families in partnership with Angel Food Ministries.

St. John’s has been participating in Angel Food Ministries as a pick up site for families for about a year. According to discipleship committee chair Linda Klbecka, about a year ago the committee found an article about Angel Food Ministries and, after talking to their pastor, pursued making St. John’s a host site.

Angel Food Ministries is a national, non-profit ministry that serves families by allowing them to purchase boxes of high quality food at prices far below retail. Each month Angel food Ministries prepares a menu of boxes for families to choose from. One option is the Bread of Life signature box that has enough food to feed a family of four a balanced diet for about a week for $34. Other variations include a gluten-free box, a box of after school snacks for children and easy to prepare meals made with seniors in mind.

Orders are placed through the church or online through the website. The boxes are assembled at the Angel Food warehouse. St. John’s picks up the boxes and then distributes the boxes at the church. “It’s really like a little business,” Klbecka commented. “We do the same thing week in, week out.”

The ministry is designed to benefit, “The community in general, there are no limitations.” Klbecka said, adding, “If you eat, you qualify.” In addition to providing access to food, St. John’s uses Angel Food to minister positively to people. “No one walks to their car alone,” Klbecka said. Usually an elder of the church carries the food out for whoever has purchased it. This provides an opportunity for people to talk about other needs that they might have and to receive prayer.

The most challenging aspect of the ministry is getting the word out. Although St. John’s advertises the ministry in community outreach boards, Klbecka believes that there is a greater need for Angel Food Ministries than is currently reflected in the orders.

However, there is no rhyme or reason to who orders each month. Last month Angel Food Ministries at St. John’s had 47 boxes ordered, 43 of which were for new users. One person came from McHenry to pick up a box. “It’s really a mystery,” Klbecka remarked with a laugh.

St. John’s is always looking for donations to benefit Angel Food Ministries. Through donations, they have been able to donate boxes outright to 7 to 8 families in the community.

The impact of Angel Food Ministries at St. John’s is not limited to Algonquin. After attending a food distribution day at St. John’s, Barb Orze decided to start an Angel Food Ministries at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Prospect Heights. This is their first month of operations and they have had three orders so far. Orze said, “We know it’s a slow process to begin with, but it grows and grows. The more people hear about it, the more people will benefit.”

Orders for food can be placed online at www.angelfoodministries.com or by calling St. John’s at 847-658-9300. For more information on how to donate to or volunteer at both locations, contact Linda Klbecka at 847-658-9300.