Angel Food Ministries provides food packages at deep discounts

YOUNGSTOWN – “If you eat, you qualify.”

So says Melvin Balciar of Mineral Ridge, speaking about the Angel Food Ministries program that handed out deeply discounted food to the community Saturday at Crossroads Church, 554 S. Meridian Rd.

The program offered 17 food items for $30, everything from chicken, steaks, lunch meat, vegetables, pasta, eggs and pantry items. Balciar said the same amount of food, if purchased at a local grocery store, would cost $75 or more.

Food orders for 264 units were taken throughout March and volunteers began unloading a semi truck at 4:30 a.m. Saturday in preparation for the crowd. Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization operating in 38 states.

The discounted food is available to anyone who places an order, not just those who are struggling financially. The program operates every month and features a new menu each time.

Rosemarie Minich of Youngstown said the economy means she has to find new ways to feed her family of two for less. “I think this is an awesome program,” she said, explaining that when she leaves with her food, her dignity is still intact.

The church also provided customers with free soup, coffee, tea and donuts, and in warmer months grilled hamburgers and hotdogs.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.