By Colin McEwen
Record-Courier staff writer
Like many, Ravenna residents Cathy and Thomas Scibiur are trying to keep up with the high costs of food.
The Scibiurs aren't necessarily struggling to get by, but they do have seven children, making the household budget tight.
With gas prices continually climbing and the country in a declining economy, the Scibuirs are not alone.
Angel Food Ministries is one of several agencies in Portage County trying to help area residents with the answer to that problem.
Distributing brand-name food to area residents at discounted prices, the Georgia-based organization strives to help people as costs everywhere continue to increase.
With items that include bacon wrapped filet mignon, cauliflower and carrots and dessert, Angel Food's May menu reads more like the specials at a fine dining restaurant, but affordable for everyone.
Cathy Scibiur said she has been buying the food for one year, and the menu affordability helps cut some of the family's costs.
"It makes a huge difference in our budget," she said. "We get two of the packages and it lasts our family of nine two months."
Most month's menus have between 16 and 18 items, six to eight of which are meat -- with a cost of $30. There are a variety of special packages, that come delivered to a host site.
Saturday was monthly distribution day at the Ravenna Nazarene Church, and people lined up to buy to buy their goods.
Angela Burkhardt, an Angel Food volunteer, said the most common misconception about Angel Food is that it's only for lower-income people.
"This was set in motion to buy groceries and just put food on the table," she said.
In December alone, Angel Food sold 11,000 food packages, and business is only getting better.
To begin the process, customers contact a distribution center and order from the next month's menu. The customer pays up front, and the following month, the food is delivered to the distribution site in the area.
The Ravenna Nazarene Church is one of several sites in the area. There also are distributions sites in Ravenna at First Church of God, Firm Foundation Ministry, Inc. and Assembly of God. In Charlestown, there is the Charlestown United Methodist Church; and the Grace Church of Rootstown.
While the churches support Angel Food Ministries' mission to provide quality food at extremely low prices, Burkhardt said there are no strings attached and all are welcome.
"People think they're taking from someone else," she said. "This is open to everyone. If you eat, you qualify."
Scibiur said she is grateful for Angel Food Ministries, and she tells just about anyone who will listen to the benefits of the food program.
"We really appreciate them," she said. "We definitely get our money's worth. They do not sell leftover scrap brands -- it's quality food."
For more information about Angel Food Ministries or to place an order call (330) 296-8507.