Churches continue Angel Food distribution

But leaders of Madison County churches that host Angel Food distribution say the ongoing investigation in Monroe, where the food ministry was founded, will have no effect on their efforts to help people in need of low-cost meals.

“Everything is like it always has been,” said Rev. Tony Cowart of the Family Worship Center, which has served as an Angel Food host site for about five years. “We’re still serving food. We haven’t stopped. It’s $30 a box, that’s all we know. We sell about 80 boxes a month here at our church, even up to a 100.”

The February food distribution was held Saturday. And Cowart said he feels Angel Food has truly helped Madison County residents in need.

“It’s been great for our people, been great for every person, not just needy but people who want to save money, quality food, USDA approved,” said Cowart. We help people tremendously … Angel Food has never done anything except sell food. And it’s hard for us to believe some of the things being said.”

According to The Walton County Tribune, the FBI and IRS officials executed search warrants Wednesday at the Walton County offices of Angel Food Ministries and at a business owned by Andy Wingo, a former officer of Angel Food and current owner of Good Hope Food Company.

“At the conclusion of their investigation, we feel confident government authorities will be satisfied with the integrity of the organization and recognize the enormous benefits Angel Food Ministries provides throughout the United States,” the ministry’s CEO Joe Wingo told The Tribune.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday that Joe Wingo, his wife, Linda, and sons Wesley and Andrew together earned $402,097 in 2007, down from $2.1 million in 2006, while also receiving $1.1 million in loans from Angel Food over a two-year span.

The Rev. Thomas Dial of Madison County’s Moon’s Grove Baptist Church, which also serves as an Angel Food host site, said he’s been keeping up with the news on the Angel Food investigation. He said the good work of the program shouldn’t be forgotten amid ugly headlines.

“I’ve been reading about some of controversy, but this is a good service and people rely on it,” said Dial. “We hope the ministry can go on even if the Wingos aren’t in the ministry. We hope it can be resolved and put behind them and we can move on.”

Dial said Moon’s Grove has served as a host site for about three years. He said the church is focused on helping those in need.

“We’ve been growing little by little,” said Dial. “We have five or six families who are regulars, who don’t want to see it go away. We also have a food bank here for families that can’t afford to buy it (the $30 Angel Food boxes).”

Dial said the community doesn’t have all the facts to realize what’s going on with the Angel Food investigation.

“We’re not tied to that ministry except to provide food at a low cost to people,” he said.

According to the Angel Food Ministries website, the organization is “a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States.”

Angel Food began in 1994 with 34 families in Monroe and “has grown to serve hundreds of thousands of families every month across 35 states,” according to the website.