January Fruit and Veggies Announced

New Covenant's Grocery Relief is still taking orders for January's Prairie Land Food distribution. Our last scheduled time is 12:30-1:30 pm Sunday, January 15th. Orders may be placed after that time by appointment, as long as items are available.

The fresh fruit and vegetables that will be included in the Prairie Pak ($25) and Fruit & Veggie Pak ($12) are potatoes (3 lb bag), cauliflower (1 head), broccoli (1 stalk), lettuce (1 head), apples (4), oranges (4), and kiwi (5).

As of midnight Friday night, there are still a few orders of breakfast burritos. These are a limited supply, with only a few left for all of PLF's sites. These "choice" items can only be purchased with a Prairie Pak or Special order, not alone.

December Distribution Includes Christmas Dinners For Sale

This Saturday, along with the regular Prairie Land Food distribution, New Covenant Grocery Relief has several "Holiday Full Meal Deal" boxes available for purchase for $32 each.

These are the same as November's Special #2, and include a whole chicken, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, sweet potato patties, corn, green beans, strawberries, biscuits, and a pie.

January ordering will also begin on 12/17/11 during distribution time.

Exciting partnership with Prairie Land Food

We at New Covenant UMC's Grocery Relief are very excited to be working with Prairie Land Food to help people get quality healthy food at affordable prices!

The October order turn-in date was Monday, October 10, but PLF continued to take orders until they are sold out for the month. Several people got in later in the week before the food boxes were all sold. If you ever want to order but it is past the date, go ahead and call Nancy at 316-265-7061 or June at 800-998-9436 to see what is available.

Distribution will be Saturday, October 22, 2010, from 8:00-9:00 am.  On some of the early order receipts, I put 8:00-10:00am. We will certainly stay around if needed. I also forgot to tell some people that the Prairie Pak, the Meat Only selection, and the Fruit/Veggie selection come in bulk. We will have an assembly line for those items. If you ordered any of those, please bring a box or reusable grocery bag if possible. We will have extra boxes.

Although the basic principal of bulk purchasing for reduced cost is the same between Prairie Land Food and Angelfood Ministries, there are several differences that I would like to point out:

Prairie Land Food is a regional program. It was started in Hillsboro, KS by two people who saw a need and took the steps to fill that need. They serve Kansas, Nebraska, and part of Oklahoma and have no intention of going national.

With AFM, each box had $1 of the price go back to the host site. Most customers were not aware of this. With PLF, the box price is for the food. There is a $1 "site handling fee" that is added to your order that the host site retains. (For those using Vision, the $1 needs to be paid in cash.) We use this fee for printing flyers, postage, and other costs of running the program. For New Covenant, this will average about half of what we received from using AFM. It is not a money maker by any means, but it is nice that this ministry is close to self-funding.

The main food box, the Prairie Pak, is smaller than AFM's Bread of Life signature box. It has fewer items and costs less.

The Meat only option and the Fruit/Veggie option are subsets of the Prairie Pak.

The exact contents of the Fruit/Veggie box are usually available about a week before the order turn-in date. This is later than the AFM fruit and veggie box contents list. The PLF fresh fruit and vegetables are seasonal and fairly local.

The specials and "choice" and "bonus" items will vary quite a bit from month to month with PLF. Choice and Bonus items require the purchase of a Prairie Pak or Special. There are no other restrictions on item purchases.

And last, but not least, I get to work with the same person for everything related to PLF! June Glasgow is the south-Kansas representative. She came to New Covenant in September to talk with me in person about the program. She is available to me via email and telephone, and she will personally work with customers who want to order but get paid at a time that doesn't exactly fit the PLF standard ordering time.

Grocery Relief changing vendors

Grocery Relief at New Covenant is looking into changing food vendors. Angel Food Ministries has officially closed down. I have been in contact with Prairie Land Food already and will make every effort to become a host site in time for October distribution on 10/22. If that partnership does not work out, we will continue to seek another food vendor. Helping people feed their families is a vital part of New Covenant's mission!

September Angel Food Distribution Cancelled

Angelfood Ministries has announced that the September food distribution has been cancelled. All paid cash orders will be refunded by the host site. Online orders will be refunded by AFM to the card used to place the order. New Covenant will have someone at the church during scheduled order times to issue refunds.

August Angel Food box changes

Beginning in August, the two most popular food boxes from Angel Food Ministries will have only frozen items.

The Bread of Life (Signature Box) "B1", which costs $35, will have 9 frozen meat/entree items and 9 frozen vegetable items. (As a comparison, in July it had 9 entrees, 4 vegetables, 3 dry goods, milk, and eggs. In June it had 8 entrees, 5 vegetables, 3 dry goods, milk, eggs, and cookie dough.)

The Bountiful Blessing Box "B3", which costs $46, will have 12 frozen meat/entree items and 11 frozen vegetable items. (In comparison, in July it had 13 entrees, 5 vegetables, 4 dry goods, milk, eggs, and cookie dough. In June it had 11 entrees, 6 vegetables, 5 dry goods, milk, eggs, and cookie dough.)

The shelf-stable dry goods have been moved out of the B1 and B3 boxes into a separate box. The Pantry Box is "B9" and costs $21. The contents for August are:
10 oz. White Meat Chicken (2 x 5 oz. cans)
28 oz. Baked Beans (canned)
56 oz. Tomatoes (2 x 28 oz. cans)
1 lb. Pasta
1 lb. Rice
1 lb. Dry Beans
12 oz. Peanut Butter
19 oz. Grape Jelly
8 oz. Fudge Brownie Mix
18 oz. Quick Oatmeal
16 oz. Pancake Mix
6 oz. Cereal
64 oz. Shelf Stable Milk (2 x 32 oz.)

Another change for New Covenant Grocery Relief customers is that we are moving distribution time another 30 minutes earlier. The truck schedule for our drop site has changed, so pick up will start at 8:00 am on distribution days.

June Grocery Relief distribution moved earlier

Now that we have a good idea how the Angel Food site pick-up and distribution are going after the changes a couple of months ago, New Covenant has decided to move the Saturday morning Grocery Relief distribution 30 minutes earlier, to 8:30-10:00.

This change should also help keep the food frozen during the hot summer months.

Local Price Comparision for May AFM boxes

Angel Food Ministries now has a price comparison map on their home page. I have submitted Wichita, KS prices for the B1 Bread of Life (Signature) box and the B3 Bountiful Blessing box.

On Tuesday, May 3, I took the list of B1 and B3 items to a local Dillons. Using as close to the same items and sizes as possible, I came up with $68.75 and $89.65, respectively, before tax, using a Dillons card for discount. I also chose the least expensive brand, while still trying to match the items as close as possible. A cash purchase would have cost $73.77 and $96.19 and about an hour of my time, as compared to $35 and $46 (sales tax exempt) and about 10 minutes to pick up at New Covenant.

B1 - Bread of Life items

1 lb.	100% Ground Chicken (sub: ground turkey)	$3.19
1 lb.	100% Ground Turkey	$3.19
32 oz.	2% Shelf-Stable Milk	$1.79
1.5 lb.	Bone-In Pork Chops (4 x 6 oz.) (larger: 1.75 lb, 5 chops)	$7.29
7.5 oz.	Break-n-Bake Cookies (larger: 16 oz was smallest)	$2.19
28 oz.	Diced Tomatoes	$1.19
1	Dozen Eggs (medium)	$1.41
2 lb.	Fresh Sweet Georgia Vidalia Onions	$1.98
1.5 lb.	Fully Cooked Meatballs	$2.99
1 lb.	Garden Peas (smaller/sub: 12oz peas & carrots)	$1.00
2 lb.	Gourmet Mac & Beef Entrée (5% More Beef!) (larger: 5 pkgs @ 7 oz)	$5.00
1 lb.	Green Beans (smaller: 12 oz)	$1.00
2.5 lb.	IQF Split Chicken Breasts (Resealable Bag) (larger: 3 lb)	$6.99
1 lb.	Long Grain Brown Rice	$0.89
1.5 lb.	Maple Flavored Breakfast Sausage Links (approx. 34 count) (fewer: 28 ct, same wt)	$5.58
1.5 lb.	New York Strip Steaks (Small Bone, 4 x 6 oz.) (sub: all big, get 2 @ 12 oz & cut)	$14.99
1 lb.	Pasta	$1.00
1 lb.	Seasoned Waffle Fries (larger: 22 oz only size)	$3.29
16 ct.	Sweet Hawaiian Dinner Buns (smaller: 12 ct)	$2.79
	Extra 12 oz bag of veggies since none were 16 oz	$1.00

Total cost, with 7.3% tax = $73.77
B1 Savings = $38.77


B3 - Bountiful Blessing items

	All B1 Items	$68.75
2 lb.	All Meat Hot Dogs (2 pkgs @ 1 lb)	$3.00
16 oz.	Complete Pancake Mix (Just Add Water) (3 pkgs @ 5.5 oz)	$1.59
1 lb.	Corn (smaller: 12 oz)	$1.00
2 lb.	Gourmet Dining Shrimp Stir Fry (smaller: 24 oz)	$6.99
1.5 lb.	Lean Hamburger Steaks (4 x 6 oz.) (smaller: 1.3 lb was closest size)	$5.84
1 lb.	Sugar Snap Peas and Carrots (smaller/sub: 12 oz Sugar Snap Peas)	$2.49

Total cost, with 7.3% tax = $96.19
B3 Savings = $50.19

April Grocery distribution this Saturday

New Covenant will be distributing Angel Food on Saturday, April 23, from 9-10:30 am. We will also be taking orders for May. The May menu is available online. We will have printed menus at the church.


After some experimentation with using all pre-packed boxes, then going back to assembly-line style, AFM has decided to return to pre-packed boxes for all selections. An overwhelming majority of host sites responding to a survey after the March distribution preferred the pre-packed method. It makes distribution faster and, more importantly, makes shortages and errors much less likely. The only assembly that will be done at the host sites are adding the non-frozen items to B1 (Bread of Life - Signature box) and B3 (Bountiful Blessing box).

Due to price increases in both food and fuel, several of the boxes have gone up a few dollars in price. Some boxes have more items, and some have remained the same. None of the boxes have gotten smaller with a higher price! (Specials change content and price every month, so I don't count Special #1's change in that statement.)

Here is a summary of the May menu
    B1 (Bread of Life - Signature box) is $35 with 19 items
    B2 (Bit O' Blessing) is $22 with 10 items
    B3 (Bountiful Blessing) is $46 with 25 items
    B4 (Fast & Flavorful Cuisine) is $29 with 10 meals
    B5 (Allergen Free) is $25 with 5 items
    B6 (Just 4 Me - After School) is $25 with 12 items
    B7 (Just 4 Me - No Child Goes Without) is $25 with 14 items
    B8 (Just 4 Me - Fruit & Veggie) is $17 with 9 items
    B9 (Pastor Joe's Premium box) is $55 with 9 items
    S1 (5 lb New York strip - Special #1) is $26
    S2 (6 lb Memorial Day Grill Box - Special #2) is $25
    S3 (Fruit and Veggie - Special #3) is $24 with 14 items

Grocery Relief box requirements changing

Due to Angel Food Ministries changing how some of the food boxes are being delivered, all customers ordering B1 (Bread of Life - signature box) and B3 (Bountiful Blessings box) will need to bring a box or other container for each of those boxes ordered from New Covenant Grocery Relief for delivery on March 26th.

We will try to have spare boxes or grocery bags for people who forget or do not get the message about this change. All boxes EXCEPT B1 and B3 will still come prepacked. The amount of food in B1 will usually fit in a box about the size of a case of paper, B3 is larger. A laundry basket or large cooler will also work. If you have reusable grocery bags, bring 2 for each "box", unless you have the extra large bags, then 1 will do.

February Angel Food deadline extended

Angel Food Ministries has extended the ordering deadline for the Feb. 26th distribution (this Saturday). Grocery Relief at New Covenant UMC will take online orders until 11:00am Tuesday, Feb. 22nd via this link.  If you need in-person ordering for Vision card or cash, please call the Grocery Relief phone to make arrangements 316 - 265 - 7061.

In Person Ordering postponed

Due to the weather and road conditions, no one will be at New Covenant UMC this evening to take orders for Angel Food.

There are still three in-person dates scheduled for Grocery Relief ordering after today. You can come next Wednesday from 5-6pm, or either of the next two Sundays from 12:30-1:30pm.

February orders & Easter dinner

New Covenant Grocery Relief is taking orders for February 26th Angel Food distribution.  You can also pre-order the Easter dinner box that will be delivered in April.

In person ordering will be available at New Covenant UMC at the following times:
Wed. Feb. 9th, 5-6pm
Sun. Feb. 13th, 12:30-1:30pm
Wed. Feb. 16th, 5-6pm
Sun. Feb. 20th, 12:30-1:30pm

Online ordering is available through 11pm Sunday, February 20.

Special #4, 4.5 lbs of T-bone steaks for $24, is available only online.

The Easter Holiday box, Special #5, costs $36 and includes a whole chicken, a pork roast, 8 twice baked potatoes, green beans, 12 mini corn cobs, stuffing mix, gravy mix, 12 rolls, and a pie.

Orders being accepted for January Angel Food

Grocery Relief at New Covenant has 5 remaining scheduled order days before the January 29th Angel Food distribution.

Wed. Jan 12, 5:00-6:00pm
Sun. Jan. 16, 12:30-1:30pm
Wed. Jan. 19, 5:00-6:00pm
Sat. Jan. 22, 5:00-6:00pm
Sun. Jan. 23, 12:30-1:30pm

If you want to order at another time during a weekday, please call the church office before coming to confirm that someone is available. New Covenant has changed its worship services back to Sundays, so the weekend ordering times will follow Sunday service, except on distribution weekend. The time will be 12:30-1:30 on the Sundays we take orders.

Haysville and two Wichita host sites had their last Angel Food Ministries distribution in December 2010. There are still five Wichita sites, and one in Benton. We hope that everyone who wants to purchase Angel Food will find the host site closest to them and still be able to order.

December deadline extended one day!

Due to technical issues, Angel Food Ministries has extended the deadline for December orders to 10:59pm CST, Monday, Dec. 13th. This is for food that will be picked up this Saturday, Dec. 18th. Order online or by calling the national headquarters. 888-819-3745

3 Christmas boxes available from Angel Food

Grocery Relief at New Covenant UMC will be taking orders for the three Christmas specials as well as all other boxes at 5 specific order times from now until December 11th.

The Christmas Dinner Box (Special #4) has an early order deadline, Wednesday, Dec. 8th. We will have 2 Wednesday order times, 12/1 from 10-11am, and 12/8 from 5-6pm. The other two Christmas boxes (Special #5, Christmas Meat and Cheese Special) and (Special #6, Assorted Christmas Fruit Special), along will all of the regular boxes and other specials, can be ordered through Saturday 12/11 at 6pm in person, or Sunday 12/12 at 11pm online.

Here is the December schedule:
Sat. 11/20 - 9-10am
Sat. 11/27 - 5-6pm
Wed. 12/1 - 10-11am
Wed. 12/8 - 5-6pm
Sat. 12/11 - 5-6pm

If someone is in the office, then you can order during the week. Please call 316-943-1884 before coming because there is not always someone available.

November Angel Food deadline extended

The November deadline to order Angel Food has been extended until Sunday November 14th at 10:59pm CST. You can use coupon code Thankful5 for 5% off of a Bread Of Life Signature Box (for online debit/credit card only).

Grocery Relief at New Covenant UMC will have in person ordering Wednesday, November 10, from 5-6pm as previously scheduled. We will also have in person ordering Saturday, November 13, from 5:30-6pm. Online orders can be placed until Sunday, November 14th at 11pm CST.

Orders for the Christmas box that are paid with a Vision card can be placed beginning Saturday, November 13. They will be delivered on December 18.

Grocery Relief changes for the holidays

New Covenant will have different ordering days and times for November and December Angel Food because the distribution days are the Saturdays before Thanksgiving and Christmas, instead of the last Saturday of the month.

Angel Food Ministries has earlier ordering deadlines, so we will have Wednesday evening ordering in addition to Saturday ordering. Thanksgiving Dinner orders are due by the same date as other November orders, but Christmas Dinner orders are due over a week before the rest of the December boxes.

To order for November, Thanksgiving, or the Christmas Dinner box, come to New Covenant
Sat. 10/30 9-10am
Sat. 11/6 5-6pm
Wed. 11/10 5-6pm
Online deadline is Thur. 11/11 at 1pm.

To order for December or Christmas, come to New Covenant
Sat 11/20 9-10am
Sat 11/27 5-6pm
Wed 12/1 10-11am
Online deadline is Wed. 12/1 at 1pm.

To order for December (after the Christmas Dinner deadline), check the December menu or this blog again. We will have a time either on Sat. 12/4 or Wed. 12/8.
Online deadline is Thur. 12/9 at 1pm.

Grocery Relief holiday boxes now available online

Angel Food Ministries has made the Thanksgiving box and the Christmas box available for online pre-ordering. Both holiday boxes cost $36 each.

Grocery Relief at New Covenant will begin taking in person orders at the September distribution on Saturday, September 25th. Due to USDA regulations, Vision card orders for the holiday boxes cannot be placed until 35 days before delivery. That means that Thanksgiving EBT orders begin October 16th, and Christmas EBT orders begin November 13th.

The Thanksgiving box will be delivered with the November regular distribution, on Saturday, November 20th (which is the 3rd Saturday).

The Christmas box will be delivered with the December regular distribution, on Saturday, December 18th (which is the 3rd Saturday).

The contents of the Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes are the same. They each include 7.5 lb. (avg.) All Natural Perdue Roasting Hen, 3 lb. Boneless Netted Ham Roast, 12 oz. Corn Bread Stuffing Mix, 1 lb. Frozen Cranberries, 12 ct. Mini Corn Cobbettes, 2 lb. Green Beans, 2 lb. Diced Sweet Potatoes, 12 ct. Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls, 1.7 oz. Brown Gravy Mix, Dessert, and Recipes and Cooking Instructions.

September Grocery Relief menu available PLUS new phone number

Grocery Relief at New Covenant now has September's schedule and menu available.

There are 3 mixed item boxes now, and you don't have to bring your own box. Small size is Bit O' Blessing Box (formerly a Special for the last few months) for $21. Medium size is Bread of Life Signature Box (the mainstay of Angel Food Ministries) for $31. Large size is Bountiful Blessings Box for $41.

For the Bread of Life Signature Box and the Bountiful Blessings Box, all of the frozen items will come pre-packed, and the milk, eggs, and dry goods will be added by the local volunteers. All of the other boxes will come completely pre-packed, as they have been in the past.

Other boxes this month include the Just-4-Me After School Box, Fast and Flavorful Meals (formerly known as Senior/Convenience Meals), a steak special, a chicken special, and the fruit and vegetable special.

Another change for us is a dedicated phone number for Grocery Relief. We should be able to respond to inquires quicker, and if there are distribution delays due to weather or transportation the message on that phone will have current information.

Call 316 - 265 - 7061 for information about New Covenant's Grocery Relief ministry, a host site of Angel Food Ministries.

Watermelon added to August Fruit/Veg box

New Covenant Grocery Relief is pleased to pass on that Angel Food Ministries has added a small seedless watermelon to Special #5, the Fresh Fruit & Veggie box. The box costs $21 this month, which is $1 less than the previous price.

The signature box is only $29 this month, $1 less, too!

Remember that if you order in person for your first time with New Covenant, we will give you $3 off. If you tell a friend and they remember to tell us on their first order, then you get $1 off the next time you order.

Next Grocery Distribution

New Covenant UMC's July Grocery Relief distribution is this Saturday, July 31st, from 9-10am.

The August Angel Food menu is available online. There are several changes from AFM, including lower prices on some popular boxes!

Ordering changes
With New Covenant's worship changing to Saturday evening, our Sunday afternoon ordering times are being phased out. Ordering on distribution Saturday is the most convenient, if you have the money available, then you won't have to make another trip to the church. We also will take orders on other Saturdays during the month, beginning at 5:00pm, prior to the 6:30pm worship time.

If Saturday ordering is not convenient, you may order during the week, but please call first to make sure someone is available.

Online ordering is available 24/7 with a debit or credit card, but there is a $2 convenience fee.
Vision card orders must be done in person.

Advertising
We would like help getting the word out about Angel Food Ministries and New Covenant's Grocery Relief. If you know of a group or business that would be willing to have flyers available, please let me know. We also have general flyers, without a monthly menu, that are available for distribution.

There are changes happening this summer at New Covenant United Methodist Church that will affect our Grocery Relief ministry.

Distribution days will remain on the scheduled Saturday of the month, from 9 am - 10 am. However, order days and times will change.

New Covenant is moving to a Saturday worship celebration service beginning this coming weekend, July 10th. Worship will start at 6:30 pm, and you are welcome to join us!

Due to this change, we are phasing out the Grocery Relief ordering times that began after worship on Sundays. Saturday order times will shift to later in the afternoon, going from 5:00 to 6:30 pm on the appropriate Saturdays. Weekday ordering will remain available when either the pastor or administrative assistant is at the church (please call 943-1884 for availability).

Other news: New Covenant is having an auction on Saturday, July 24, beginning at 10:00 am at 3323 W. Maple. It will include choir robes, sheet music, restaurant items, catering & banquet furnishings, office furniture, craft & youth program items, Bibles, hymnals, many other religious books, podiums, round & rectangular tables, and much more. The preview will be Friday, July 23, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. See http://tinyurl.com/NCauction for photos, a list of some of the items, and contact info for the auctioneer.

Here is the summer Grocery Relief schedule:
JULY
Order: Saturday, July 17, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Order: Sunday, July 18, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Order: Sunday, July 25, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (in person deadline)
Deadline: Sunday, July 25, 11:00 pm (online)
Distribution: Saturday, July 31, 9:00 am - 10:00 am

AUGUST
Order: Saturday, July 31, 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Order: Sunday, August 1, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Order: Saturday, August 14, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Order: Sunday, August 15, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Order: Saturday, August 21, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Order: Sunday, August 22, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (in person deadline)
Deadline: Sunday, August 22, 11:00 pm (online)
Distribution: Saturday, August 28, 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Angel Food Ministries announces June incentives

New Covenant's Grocery Relief is happy to announce that AFM is having some incentives for June. Coupon codes for online ordering are also available.

Each person who orders in June and has an email address will be entered into a drawing for $500. If you have an email address and have not given it when you ordered in the past, please contact Nancy at New Covenant to get it input into the system.

Each person who orders 3 or more boxes will get a second entry in the drawing.

Each host site that increases their total order by 10 boxes over May will receive $25 as a donation. The host site will also receive one entry per 10 extra boxes in a drawing for $5000.

This month's Signature Box is pork free, so the coupon code for 10% ($3.00) off is PORKFREE10. Special #3 the Flavored Hamburger Grill Box also has an online coupon code for 10% ($1.90) off. It is GRILL10. These codes can only be used with online ordering and are good for the first 2000 uses nationally.

And finally, thank you to everyone who took some time to visit with us last Saturday during and after distribution for our 1000th box celebration! It is an honor and pleasure to be able to serve our neighbors and help people save money on their groceries.

June Angel Food menu is available

New Covenant church is now taking orders for June's Grocery Relief. The Angel Food menu is available online at the AFM website. Our printable flyer will be posted soon.

Look for me at the Delano Community Farmer's Market this Wednesday in the parking lot behind the Senior Center - 200 S. Walnut. I plan to have general information flyers, June's menu/flyer, and be available for taking orders (cash or Vision card).

Big Celebration Planned for May 22nd

New Covenant UMC's Grocery Relief is celebrating 18 months of ministry and 1000 boxes of Angel Food distributed with a community party on Saturday, May 22nd, from 9-11am.

May orders can be placed in person on Saturday May 8, Sunday May 9, and Sunday May 16. We will be giving away 2 free steaks for every 10th box ordered for May. Help us reach 100 boxes of food in May. Distribution is at the regular time, from 9-10am.

There will be refreshments, balloons, and door prizes at the party, so come even if you don't order and need to be there to pick up your food.

April ordering deadline extended

Angel Food Ministries has extended the ordering period for April's distribution (which is Sat. 4/24).

I will be at New Covenant taking Grocery Relief orders from 12:00 noon to 12:30 pm on Sunday, April 18. Online ordering is also extended, through 1pm, Monday, April 19. (The signature coupon code is no longer valid, but SEAFOOD5 should still work.)

Extra Grocery Relief Discounts

If you order Angel Food online for New Covenant's Grocery Relief, then you can save a little money by using the online coupon codes. Usually they only help offset the convenience fee (which is $2) for ordering online with your debit or credit card, but this month one of them covers that and an extra dollar off!

Aprilsig10 for 10% ($3) off a signature box.
Seafood5 for for 5% ($1.75) off a premium seafood variety box.

April online coupon codes are good for the whole month. That means you can use them when ordering for MAY toward the end of April after the menu switches over.

For in person discounts, New Covenant offers $3 off a first time order, and a $1 referral incentive.

Great distribution despite late truck

Thanks to dedicated volunteers and very understanding customers, New Covenant UMC had another great Grocery Relief Saturday.

The semi delivering Angel Food to the drop site in east Wichita was over an hour late, for the second month in a row. In the 18 months we have been doing this, last month was the first time we had to delay distribution. Despite the delay, the crew of 17 volunteers moved 75 boxes of food into the hands of 34 families in about an hour.

March distribution is Saturday. April ordering now available.

This Saturday, March 27, is Angel Food distribution day. We will begin taking in-person orders Saturday, also. Online orders for April are open now.

There are 12 items on April's menu! I think that must be a record. I had to redesign our flyer to get everything to fit! Besides the flyer layout change, New Covenant is making a couple of other changes beginning with April's order.

We are dropping the free box drawing and will have a swap table instead. If there is an item in the Signature box that you do not want, you can trade it for something similar (meat for meat, non-meat for non-meat).

We also have a referral incentive. First time customers who order in person will receive $3 off their first order. If a friend referred them, the friend will get $1 off the next month (or later month if they don't order every month). Pick up extra menus or the business card with our 6 month schedule. Spread the word!

We also have a non-dated general Grocery Relief / Angel Food flyer that can be distributed. If you know of a business or organization, particularly in the Delano area, that would be willing to have these available, please let me know. Email groceryrelief @ newcovumc.org or call New Covenant at 316-943-1884 and leave a message for Nancy.

March Angel Food ordering available

New Covenant's Grocery Relief ministry is distributing February Angel Food this Saturday.

March ordering is available online now, or in person starting Saturday.

There are 2 new items for March, and they both have coupon codes! The After School Box is 4 kid-friendly protein filled snack times. SCHOOL5 will get you 5% ($1.05) off the $21 box of mozzarella stuffed breadsticks, chicken rings, chicken and cheese nuggets, and mini corndogs. FAM5 will get you 5% ($1.75) off the $35 4x4 Family Meal Kits special. Special #4 is 4 meals that serve 4 people, each with a meat, potato medley or rice, and vegetable. A picture menu is available here, but I have to admit that I would rather look at cooked meat instead of raw.

We are still doing a monthly drawing for a free Signature box of Angel Food. No purchase necessary. Just come by the church to sign up.

February Grocery Relief special offers

To encourage people to spread the word about Angel Food, New Covenant's Grocery Relief ministry has 2 new special offers.

For telling a friend, you save $1 the month after they tell us you referred them. This is unlimited, if you tell 10 people who order for the first time and give us your name, then you save $10 next month!

If you are ordering for the first time (and ordering in person), we will give you $3 off when we add you to our database.

Both of these are good for in-person orders at New Covenant UMC only. The next in-person ordering dates are February 13, 11am-1pm, and February 14, 12-3pm.

If you order online, you can use the coupon code FEB5 from AFM to get 5% ($1.50) off a signature box. This helps offset the $2 per order convenience fee.

January Order Deadline Extended

AFM has announced a change to the order deadline for January. Online orders can now be made through 4pm (Central) on Monday, January 18. Each host site has the discretion to extend in-person orders if they so choose. I will be available at New Covenant (1718 W. Douglas) from 12-1 pm Sunday after church for additional orders. Only cash or EBT please.

January ordering still available

Orders for January 23rd's Angel Food distribution can still be placed online, through Friday, January 15, 1pm (local time). In person ordering has closed for January.

Wheatland Mission serves with New Covenant

December Angel Food distribution at New Covenant when very smoothly thanks to help from 8 youth and 5 adults from Wheatland Mission.

January orders are now being taken. The Angel Food "Signature Box" includes 1.5 lb. Choice Beef Roast, 2 lb. Baby Back Ribs, 2.5 lb. IQF Split Chicken Breast, 2 lb. Mac & Beef Dinner Entrée, 1.5 lb. Fully Cooked All White Meat Breaded Chicken Breast Patties, 1 lb. Lean Ground Beef, 1 lb. Bratwurst with Cheese, 1 lb. Frozen Sliced Carrots, 1 lb. Frozen Whole Kernel Corn, 8 ct. Frozen Heat & Serve Buttermilk Pancakes , 10 ct. Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls, 3 lb. or 4 ct. Large Russet Baking Potatoes, 32 oz. 2% Shelf Stable Milk, a Dozen Eggs, and a Dessert.

Other options are: Senior/Convenience box, Allergen-Free box, Seafood box, Assorted Meat Grill box, Assorted Meat and Chicken combo, Battered Boneless Wing box, Premium Meat box, and Premium Fresh Fruit and Vegetable box.

Angel Food January online coupon codes

From the AFM E-Zine: January Special Deal
Use "SURFNTURF" coupon code... Buy the Seafood Box and the Premium Meat Box (Special #4) and get Two Dollars off your order. This is the perfect way to celebrate family and friends, host a Superbowl party. Surf 'n Turf at your favorite restaurant can cost $15 and up per person; Angel Food's Surf 'n Turf will feed 8 people for about half of that.

From Nancy: Coupon codes are only good when ordering online. They are a nice offset of the convenience fee.

Also available this month, "NEWYEAR5" which is 5% ($1.50) off a "Signature Box."

December distribution starts in about 12 hours!

December Angel Food records

December ordering has closed, and New Covenant has a record setting month (for us). We will distribute 95 total boxes to 46 families and individuals on Saturday, December 19th. Wow! I believe we have 17 first time customers this month.

January's menu is available online, and online ordering for January 2010's distribution should be opening in a few days. A 6 lb. seafood box has been added, there are 4 meat and/or chicken specials, and the very popular fresh fruit and vegetable box is included again.

Final week to order for December

New Covenant's December Angel Food in-person ordering deadline is this coming Sunday, 12/6. With the distribution day being early in the month (the Saturday before Christmas), the order cut-off is early also.

Someone will be at the church Saturday from 11-1 (or a little later), so stop by before or after the Delano Christmas parade! There will also be someone after worship on Sunday, from 12-3. If you need to come by during the week, it's a good idea to call to make sure someone is available. The number is 943-1884.

Online ordering goes through Wednesday 12/9.

Scouts help with distribution

Four families from Cub Scout pack 281 and Boy Scout troop 281 joined the regular team of New Covenant's volunteers for November's distribution this morning. I appreciated their enthusiastic and energetic help, and I believe the Scouts, dads, and siblings had a good time also.

If you would like to help with an Angel Food distribution for New Covenant's Grocery Relief ministry, either as an individual or as part of a group, please contact me at GroceryRelief@newcovumc.org to make arrangements. We greatly appreciate help; however, there is a limited amount of space so we need to plan ahead, particularly for groups.

December Angel Food online coupon codes available

Angel Food Ministries is happy to announce the online coupon codes for Christmas. The coupon code DECSIG5 is good for 5% ($1.50) off a "Signature Box" of Angel Food. The other online coupon code CHRISTMAS5 is good for 5% ($1.40) off a "Senior/Convenience Box". Both Online Coupon Codes expire on December 31st, 2009 and are good for the first 2000 users.

December Angel Food menu is available

Distribution for November orders and all Thanksgiving Box pre-orders will be this Saturday, November 21, beginning at 9:00 am, at 1718 W. Douglas.

December orders may be placed at New Covenant church beginning Saturday morning or online now. Specials for December include a meat and cheese gift box and a holiday fruit box.

The December signature box includes:
2 lb. New York Strip Steaks (4 x 8 oz.)
1.5 lb. Boneless Pork Roast
1 lb. Chicken Breast Fajita Strips
1 lb. Lean Ground Beef
1.5 lb. All White Meat Chicken Tenders
1 lb. Bake or Fry Fish Sticks (32 count)
1 lb. HIckory Smoked Center Cut Ham
1 lb. Frozen Baby Lima Beans
1 lb. Frozen Green Beans
2 lb. French Fries
2 lb. bag Fresh Apples
10 ct. Flour Tortilla
32 oz. 2% Shelf Stable Milk
Dozen Eggs
Dessert

The December Senior/Convenience box includes:
Roasted Chicken
Swedish Meatballs
Meatloaf & Gravy
Sliced Turkey & Dressing with Gravy,
Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
Chili with Beef & Beans,
Boneless Pork Patty
Chicken Parmesan and Pasta
Macaroni & Beef with Noodles,
Chicken & Noodles

The December Specials are:
Special # 1 for $22 (6 lb Assorted Meat Grill Box)
Special # 2 for $21 (4.5 lb Steak Combo)
Special # 3 for $20 (10 lb IQF Unbreaded Poultry Box)
Special # 4 for $18 (Holiday Meat and Cheese Special)
Special # 5 for $22 (Fresh Fruit/Veggie Box)
Special # 6 for $26 (Assorted Holiday Fruit Special)

Last day for in person November orders

Today is the last day to place a cash or EBT order for November Angel Food at New Covenant. Online debit/credit card orders can be placed until Wednesday by clicking here.

The December menu is also now available online. There are 2 holiday specials! Special #4 is a meat & cheese gift box with 6 items, and Special #6 is a holiday fruit special. More details to come, or click here.

Coupon codes for online orders

I have just learned that there are 2 coupon codes for online November Angel Food orders. TURKEY5 will give a 5% discount ($1.50) off the signature box, and NOVSP2 will give a 5% discount ($1.10) off Special #2.

Only one of these codes can be used on each order, and there is a limit to 2000 uses nationwide, according to the Angel Food Ministries Thoughts and Comments blog. As of 11:00 pm Tuesday, November 3rd, they still worked. It's not a lot, but it almost covers the online convenience fee!

Place November orders this weekend

I will be at the church (1718 W Douglas) this Saturday from 11-1 and Sunday after church from 12-3 to take orders for Angel Food to be delivered on November 21st.

Cash and EBT accepted. I can also help you get online and do a credit or debit card order, but Angel Food charges a $2 fee per order for that. Online orders can be placed until Thursday, November 12th.

We also hold a drawing for a free "signature" box of Angel Food each month. Some months we give away more than one. You do not have to order anything to enter the drawing, but you do have to enter each month. (Previous month entries are not entered again automatically.)

Grocery Relief has a blog!

New Covenant United Methodist Church has been helping people save money on groceries with Angel Food for a full year now. We just finished our 12th monthly distribution last Saturday. I'm very excited that our ministry is growing! Every month we get new people coming to buy food at about half of retail prices.

Now we are looking for even more ways to tell people about this opportunity to stretch their grocery dollars. Karen, over at DelanoWichita, suggested I start up a blog. Why didn't I think of that? I've been blogging personally since about 2000. So here we are; Grocery Relief has a blog. We also have a web presence at the Angel Food Ministries website, including a page for online ordering.

When I figure out how to convert a .pdf to an image that Blogger likes I will post the full menu here. For now, click over to AFM's website.