Angel Food Ministries is a food coop powered by volunteer effort and organizational genius. Founded in 1994 by Joe and Linda Wingo to help some local families in Monroe, Georgia, it has grown from supporting those original 34 families in 1994 to providing a mission-based, volunteer run, 35 state food distribution system to over 500,000 families each month. It's a simple system. Organizations (usually churches) request a certain number of food boxes. The requests are consolidated and shipped in bulk to the requesting organization which does the work of creating individual food boxes for their "customers" who ordered the food. The food is not free, but costs roughly 50% of the average retail grocery price. There are no restrictions on who can purchase the food. The system allows for families to stretch their food buying budget. Angel Food is a ministry...purposed to make it easier for those in need to get the food they need. Many of the boxes are purchased by donors for others who cannot even afford the modest amount.
The divine task is shown in the work of the thousands of volunteers that do the distribution at the end of the line. These people take the orders, prepare a distribution site, meet the semi trailer truck with the palleted food, create individual boxes and in some cases deliver the food to the door of those that need it.
These people are not paid. They are not recruited. They get up early and work hard. As a result, many people get some help...a little relief.
I have observed first hand the distribution process. It is a pure form of an enjoyable task. The volunteers are chatting, smiling, joking and working while performing in a disciplined system. They are enjoying the task. The pay is the joy of the work and that joy is a result of particpating in the mission of doing good.
The leaders of the distribution location I observed are Gary and Marilyn Frazier. Difference makers for sure.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
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