The Virginian-Pilot
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PORTSMOUTH
A Cradock church has become the second site in South Hampton Roads through which people can order boxes of less-expensive groceries each month.
Cradock Baptist Church has been designated a host site for Angel Food Ministries.
The Georgia-based non-profit organization distributes about 500,000 boxes of food each month to more than 4,500 host sites around the United States, Rev. Rob Edwards, the church’s pastor, said.
“It’s the same stuff that we would go to the store and buy ourselves,” Edwards said.
Host sites like Cradock Baptist Church and Smyrna Church of Christ Holy Disciples in Norfolk collect orders in the first part of the month. People can order online or at the church offices at scheduled times.
Volunteers then pick up the food once a month from a warehouse near Richmond, then return to the host site for distribution.
Cradock is kicking off the program later this week by hosting Grammy Award winner Russ Taff at events Friday and Saturday. Taff will hold a concert Friday night at Cradock Baptist Church, 96 Afton Parkway, at 7:30 p.m. He will also appear at Cradock Community Day in Afton Square, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
There are no income restrictions on the program, though people can pay for the boxes with food stamps. Edwards said he received orders for sixty-nine boxes in September.
For $30, people can order a box of food that can feed a family of four for about a week. October’s menu includes rib-eye steaks, chicken breasts, pork chops, eggs, milk, and carrots.
The average retail price of the same groceries would amount to about $60, according to Angel Food Ministries.
Anyone can order a senior box for $28, which contains ten fully-cooked meals that just need to be heated and served.
The organization also provides “special” boxes, such as one with fruits and vegetables.
Smyrna church secretary Regina Collins said they have run the program since March. She said it has attracted people from different income levels from all over South Hampton Roads.
“If you eat, you can order,” Collins said.
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To Eald
You said it like it needs to be said. Thank you.
Angel Food Program
Angel Food is not a free program. There are no financial limits on perticipation. Anyone can qualify. Food stamps are accepted. Credit cards are accepted on line. Everyone pays the same amount for food. Sponsors are approved because they apply and can show proof that they can responsibly manage the program. No ones participation will keep another from being able to participate.
The pastor of this church is totally committed to reaching out to help the Craddock area. Anyone else is welcome to participate thru the criteria on the church website which follows the quidelines of the Angel Food website.
I can't help but wish
I can't help but wish background checks could be done on all those applications who respond to this outstanding service. Law-abiding citizens in need should have first priority. I feel the same way about applicants to the new HOPE IV project at the former Jeffery Wilson Homes site.
Call me jaded.
Better yet, call me sick of criminals with benefits.
Cradock
Cradock is actually pretty centrally located...and has bus service coming in from a number of places in Portsmouth. This particular pastor is also very, very active and has been instrumental in a number of initiatives, for example the World Changers project over the summer, which is probably why his church was selected.
Location, location, location...
This is a great service but shouldn't this opportunity be more centrally located? The Victory Crossing Shopping Center would be a much smarter home base. I'm sure Senator Lucas and her select investors will be more than happy to donate space in their new conference center. That way they can truly help the disenfranchised.