Ministry helps cut food costs

Nonetheless, several Triangle churches are indeed offering such a service.

"As soon as I started talking about it, everybody just got so excited and said we have to do this here in Raleigh,” said Holly Baldwin,  director of New Hope Baptist Church Angel Food program.

At least seven Triangle churches take part in the program. Saint Andrews United Methodist Church, 1201 Maxwell Drive, in Garner, distributed food last weekend, and New Hope Baptist Church, 4301 Louisburg Road, in Raleigh, started their program in April.

"In our first month, we served 40 plus families and now our last couple of months, we're 300 plus families that we're serving,” Jerry Layton, assistant pastor of New Hope Baptist Church.

The cost is $30 for the basic 21-pound box that contains $60 worth of groceries. However, there are also some specials available after the purchase of a regular box, such as 1.5 pounds of bacon-wrapped beef patties, 1.5 pounds of rib-eye steaks, 2 pounds of thick-cut pork chops and 1 pound of Italian sausage with mozzarella cheese for $22.

The nonprofit is able to pass on the savings by buying in bulk and having church volunteers do the distributing.

You can even order online.

With times economic tough, the bargain-grocery program is growing.

"We're trying (to grow larger). We would love that! We don't have to prepare for that, the good Lord will take care of that,” King said.

You do need to pre-order food either online or during specific times at area churches. You can pay with cash, credit or even a food stamp card.