Friends Helping Friends New Ministry Step Blesses Everyone!

Friends Helping Friends food pantry (FHF) is now offering the services of a food-buying co-op for those who wish to purchase food packages at below retail pricing.

Due to the recent closure of the freezer plant as well as the rising cost of Food, Oil, Gas and other expenses that we are all dealing with in this day and age Friends Helping Friends will be stepping into a new Ministry that will bless more families and stretch their dollars farther, including food stamps,” said Steven Lewis, President of Friends Helping Friends.

The new ministry FHF will be partnering up with is Angel Foods ministry, whose motto is, “Being a Hand Up and Not a Hand Out.”

“There are no qualifications to join, so everyone can take advantage of this amazing ministry,” said Lewis.

FHF has set a goal to be up and running with Angel Food in September, 2011. “In order for us to become a host site we will need to sell 400 Boxes of food a month. We will be offering a variety of boxes and the great part about this Ministry is we accept Food Stamp Cards. This will allow many families in our town and surrounding towns to stretch their dollar farther.”

Lewis explains people will be allowed to order more than one item and the orders will be taken once a month on a designated day to be announced. “The purpose is to help shoppers stretch their money further to offset the cost of food, heating their homes as well as rent, mortgages and electric payments.”

Angel Food Ministries is open for everyone, there are no income guidelines which will also benefit the middle class who work very hard to make ends meet. “We will be having an orientation day on September 7^th and should have the newest food order form, you do not have to order that day, we just want to explain how this new ministry will work and how it benefits everyone,” said Lewis.

The orientation will be hosted by FHF at their headquarters located in the Armstrong Engineering building on Presque Isle Street on September 7 from 10a.m. – 3p.m. “The orientation should take 5 – 10 minutes of your time. I hope to see you there, please email or contact me if you work during this time and cannot make it.”

Friends Helping Friends has been serving the community for a little over 4 years. “Time has flown by fast and we are thankful to the Lord for blessing us with the food and resources that we have needed to feed those in need. We couldn’t have made it this far without first; God blessing us, then the many volunteers that we have and all those who have given resources and finances, to help us get to where we are today.

FHF will be compiling a list of clients as soon as possible. Those who are interested in ordering food from the co-op are invited to contact Steven Lewis via Email at fhf@armstrongeng.com  or call Friends Helping Friends at 227-9219. If the answering machine picks up please leave your name, number and an idea of how many boxes you might order.

Lewis invited interested parties to visit the Angel Food Ministries Website: www.angelfoodministries.com  for more information. “Look around the website and also follow the steps to find the host site, Friends Helping Friends. If you feel comfortable ordering on your own then go for it. If you have any questions by all means let me know.

The ordering deadline date will be Sunday, September 18, 2011 11:59 pm Eastern Time. The food will be delivered on Saturday, September 25, 2011 3:00pm to 5:00pm Local Time to Armstrong Engineering on Presque Isle Street. During that time everyone must be there to pick up their food. (Please see the Angel Food order form on this page)

“We look forward to setting this up and becoming an even greater help to the community and surrounding towns. God bless you all and remember if you are interested in volunteering with us don’t hesitate to call.”