I need your input regarding an outreach ministry opportunity. I have been talking with some folks from the Sciotoville Church of the Nazarene's Potter's House Ministry. They have been working for over a year to become a distribution site for Angel Food Ministries.
Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief to communities throughout the United States. Angel Food works through churches and community organizations in over 32 states.
A little about how the program works:
Angel Food's groceries are sold in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $25 per unit. Each month's menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $50. Comparison shopping has been done across the country in various communities using a wide range of retail grocery stores and has resulted in the same food items costing from between $42 and $78.
Generally, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month. The food is all the same high quality one would purchase at a grocery store. There are no second-hand items, no damaged or out-dated goods, no dented cans without labels, no day-old breads and no produce that is almost too ripe.
To learn more, go to their website: angelfoodministries.com
Sciotoville is having difficulty generating enough initial support to convince Angel Food to commence deliveries to Scioto County. If Sunshine gets onboard, it could help put them over the hump. It will require no financial investment on our part. It will require volunteer support for 3-5 hours 1 Saturday/month.
The core of this ministry is the provision of food for a discounted price. However, it is far more than just that. There is a wonderful opportunity for our folks to volunteer in a quick, stress-free manner, that makes a deep impact. As members of our community come to our building to pick-up their units, we gain an opportunity to build relationships. It would promote awareness within our community about our desire to serve and edify. With a little creative thinking, we could spin-off any number of outreach efforts.
Check out the website and let me know what you think. I have a video presentation of the ministry on DVD, if your interested.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
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9 comments:
I am backing you all the way on this. I think it is a wonderful program and as you know I will be there to help in any way you need. Also I am interested purchasing the groceries this way, it would be a tremendous help to me and my boys.
I appreciate your support. Your input will greatly enhance this effort.
I want to do this! My only request is that I not be at the building alone while working. Other than that, count me in!
Saturdays are tough for me to help, but I'm with you on the program and will help any way I can.
I am glad to hear you all are interested.
Here's how it would work for us:
On the Saturday of the delivery, a couple of us would need to meet the refrigerated semi at Sciotoville-Nazarene's parking lot. We would unload our portion of the bulk food. Other congregations would be there doing the same. This should not take very long (2-4 people would be sufficient).
Once our bulk food is back to Sunshine, more volunteers would be needed to sort the food into the boxed units. Once the units are prepared, they can be handed out to the buyers. A couple people would be needed to assist folks as they show up.
We would be working together as a group. I envision a fun, festive atmosphere. According to my sources, a few volunteer can process a larger number of units. They claim its really quite simple.
The hard part is getting it started. We will need Sunshine folks to be willing to be first to purchase units for themselves. The first batch might consist primarily of Sunshine orders. When others see it, they will jump in and orders will increase. The greatest challenge is overcoming the skepticism most folks have toward "too good to be true" deals.
I'm looking forward to the work and think it will be a great deal of fun and satisfaction!
Thank you so much for bringing this up!
Jason - I could volunteer at the church most Saturdays. This ministry sounds great.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
As I have already discussed with you I am very interested and would like to help as am able.
I agree that it has a great opportunity to meet many needs and should be a great chance to fellowship with each other, as long as it is a group effort.
I also am interested in putting posters, with a list of churches that will be participating, in my office. I think this will help advertise and also let people know where they can pick up the food closest to their home.
Also, I think we would be interested in the food as long as their was plenty. 1)It sounds like a good deal 2)To help get the ball rolling earlier on 3)To check out the food that we are distributing
Keep me informed
Thanks for the interest. I'll let you all know more as things develop.
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