As many seniors and their families have discovered, many if not most of the community resources available to help people with limited incomes have strict financial requirements and lengthy application processes. Often our seniors have just a little too much to qualify or can't manage the paperwork and interviews required to get help. One wonderful resource that too few people know about doesn't require any of these things and is available to anyone who wishes to participate. It's called Angel Food.

Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit and non-denominational organization that began providing low cost food to a few families in Georgia in 1994. Today they distribute food in over 3,200 communities in 35 states, feeding over 500,000 families each month.

Angel Food partners with local community organizations and churches to distribute high quality meat, frozen vegetables, fruit, and dairy products to anyone who wishes to participate. While this food is not free, it is offered at a greatly reduced cost. $30 purchases a large  selection of food that will feed a family of four for about a week, and one senior for almost a month. The average retail supermarket price for this food is estimated at $55.

For people who have trouble preparing meals from scratch, Angel Food also offers a package of complete, individually frozen meals which would be a very pleasant change from frozen supermarket entrees.

Angel Food is distributed once each month. Customers must order in advance, and may purchase as many boxed assortments of food as they wish. There are no applications to complete or qualifications to meet. Seniors, students, young families, or simply people trying to live on a tight budget are welcome to participate. Food Stamps are accepted.

Each month the menu of food contained in that month's box changes. Participants can look at the "menu" for the following month on the Angel Food website at http://www.angelfoodministries.com to see whether they want to order. Many of the distribution centers accept orders directly from the website, which is an added convenience. The Angel Food website also has a zip code locator, so it is easy to find the closest distribution center.

While food can be ordered via the internet, it must be picked up in person. There are no delivery services available. A box, or "unit" of food can be heavy, so your senior might need some help on distribution day.

Angel Food is a wonderful program that has been a miracle for thousands of people at risk for poor nutrition. It is beyond us why they are not more widely known. If you know a senior who is eating poorly because money is tight, see if you can get them to try Angel Food if it is available in their community. Because everyone must pay the same price for this food, the stigma of "charity" never comes into the equation.