Food Ministry Donates Food Packages to Those in Need

MONROE, GA August 18 - Angel Food Ministries (AFM), the nation's largest nonprofit food ministry, will join in supporting national Hunger Action Month in September.  Every month AFM donates more than 600 of its food packages free to those in need while also offering food packages at 30-50% off retail prices to anyone.  AFM recently donated more than 11 tons of food to tornado victims in Joplin, MO.

"Hunger continues to affect millions of Americans day in and day out.  Nearly 15 percent (17.4 million) of U.S. households are food insecure and have difficulty providing enough food for all members of their family," said Pastor Wes Wingo, AFM chief information officer and CEO of Ministry Development.  "Children make up an important percentage of those who are food insecure and every month we donate at least 200 of our No Child Goes Without food packages.

"During these challenging economic times, it is even more difficult for those in need to provide nutritious food to their families," Pastor Wingo said.  "Every month we donate gift cards for our Sponsor Armed Services Families program as well as hundreds of our Bread of Life Signature food boxes."

Founded in 1994, AFM serves hundreds of thousands of customers in 45 states through some 5,000 churches.  Anyone can order AFM food packages and SNAP (food stamp) participants can use their EBT cards to purchase food packages.  There are no qualifications, income criteria or forms to fill out.  Food packages can be ordered online,by phoning 1-888-819-3745 or through local churches.  To locate your nearest host site and/or to order online, visit www.angelfoodministries.com and click on "Order Online."

Headquartered in Monroe GA, AFM offers a dozen standard food packages and a number of specialty packages at great discounts because it purchases food in bulk, does not have retail space and labor costs, does not advertise, uses less packaging, and benefits from the labor of some 40,000 volunteers at their partner churches.

Each month AFM compares prices item by item at major retailers in the 45 states it serves.  In a recent price comparison, Angel Food's Bread of Life Signature Box, which sells for $35, was priced for as much as $79 retail.  AFM's Bountiful Blessing Box, which sells for $46, was priced for as much as $114 retail.  Prices are compared with major grocery and discount retailers and vary by marketplace. 

"Angel Food is dedicated to helping those in need while also benefiting those churches and organizations we partner with," Pastor Wingo said.  "We have returned nearly $24 million to our partner churches and every month bring more individuals into their churches than any other single organization in America."AFM is non-denominational and does not require religious faith to order their food packages.  

AFM also does not rely on donations -- less than 1 percent of AFM revenues come from donations.  To review this month's menu and gather more information, please visit: www.angelfoodministries.com.

August 18, 2011

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MILWAUKEE, WI. (August 8, 2011) - The Bon-Ton Stores, which operates, Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson's, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's, Parisian and Younkers stores, announced its semi-annual Community Day event will be a two-day event,  Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12, 2011, allowing the local non-profit groups a greater opportunity to raise funds for their organizations.

Groups may sign up at www.communitydayevent.com and begin selling booklets immediately.  The savings booklets contain over $200 or more in savings on in-store and online merchandise during the Bon-Ton Community Day event.

Eligible Community Day organizations include 501C-3 nonprofit organizations and schools.  Non-profit groups sell savings booklets for a $5 donation to support their group, and in return, the purchaser receives the valuable booklet of offers which instantly pays the donor back with a $10-off on $10 or more item-coupon.  The organization keeps 100% of the $5 donation.

"Providing opportunities to support non-profit groups in the community is extremely important to our company," said Bud Bergren, president and chief executive officer of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. "By extending the event to two days, we hope participating groups will be able to generate more donations and, at the same time, customers who buy the booklets will have more time to take advantage of the tremendous offers."

In 2010, over $10 million was raised by participating nonprofit organizations through the Community Day events.  Successful organizations have raised thousands of dollars by participating in this event.  View testimonials on www.communitydayevent.com and find out first-hand what groups are saying about their success and learn more about how non-profits can benefit from this event.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. operates 275 stores, including 11 furniture galleries, in 23 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers nameplates and, under the Parisian nameplate, stores in the Detroit, Michigan area. The stores offer a broad assortment of brand-name fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings. 

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Red Cross Blood Donations at Seriously Low Level; Blood Donors Needed

Blood donations nationally have been declining this summer and supplies are at seriously low levels. Though the American Red Cross issued a national appeal for blood donors on July 11, blood products are going out to area hospitals just as quickly as donations are coming in.

All blood types are needed - especially type O negative, B negative and A negative - to ensure blood supplies do not drop to emergency levels.

"Summer blood donors can mean the difference between an adequate blood supply and a shortage," said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the Heart of America Red Cross Blood Services region. "We are asking eligible donors to make appointments in the coming days to reverse the downward trend in donations that we have seen this summer."

With many donors busy or traveling and school out of session, donations have dropped dramatically. In fact, during May and June 2011, while the need for blood products remained steady, donations were at the lowest level during this time frame in 12 years. More recently extreme heat experienced throughout the region may be contributing to fewer donations.

The Red Cross needs blood donors - now more than ever - to roll up a sleeve and give as soon as possible.

To show appreciation to those who help save lives near the upcoming Labor Day holiday (August 29 to September 7), all presenting donors at Red Cross blood drives and blood donation centers in the Heart of America region will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $500 gas card. This is a part of the Red Cross' summer-long Good to Give. Good to Go. promotion that features holiday-themed raffles and a chance for one lucky donor (21 and older) in the Mid-America Blood Services Division to win a trip for four (4) to Orlando, Florida.

 

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation's blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts. 

 

Blood Donation Opportunities

 

CARROLL COUNTY

8/18/2011, 1:30 pm- 6:30 pm, American Legion Hall, 221 Calvert St., Chadwick,

8/19/2011, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, St. Wendelin's Catholic Church, 102 S. Linn, Shannon

8/22/2011, 12:00 pm- 5:00 pm, First Presbyterian Church, 502 3rd Street, Savanna

8/26/2011, 1:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Church of God, 816 S. Clay, Mount Carroll

8/30/2011, 8:00 am-11:30 am, Elkay Manufacturing, 105 N. Rochester St, Lanark

CLINTON COUNTY

8/18/2011, 10:00 am- 4:00 pm, Lyondell Chemical Company, 3400 Anamosa Road, Clinton 

 

SCOTT COUNTY

8/26/2011, 10:00 am- 1:00 pm, Hy-Vee, 2200 W. Kimberly Rd., Davenport

WHITESIDE COUNTY

8/16/2011, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

8/17/2011, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

8/23/2011, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

8/24/2011, 3:00 pm- 7:00 pm, Abiding Word Church, 806 E Lynn Blvd., Sterling

8/24/2011, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

8/25/2011, 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

8/31/2011, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

 

Humility of Mary Housing is preparing for its 21st annual Fresh Start Benefit Sale to be held at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds August 17 - 20, 2010.

This sale is just the place to recycle those items you have cleaned out of closets, attics, basements or garages. Your gently used items will become someone else's treasure. We can use house wares, small and large appliance in good working order, furniture, toys, tools, jewelry, bedding, linens and much more; no clothes for this sale, please.

There is a new location for dropping off items for the Fresh Start Sale: 2906 Brady Street in Davenport. It is left off Brady at E. 29th Street and just west of Life's Little Treasures. Drop off dates and times are: Monday, Thursday and Saturday 9am - 3pm now through August 12.

All proceeds from the Fresh Start Sale benefit Humility of Mary Housing, Inc., celebrating 20 years of success helping homeless single-parent families return to self-sufficiency. In those 20 years they have served 665 families including 1288 children.