After we ran a couple of stories on how to save money on your grocery bill, a reader e-mailed to tell me about Angel Food Ministries, a non-profit, non-denominational program that sells discounted groceries through churches in across the country, including here in Eastern Iowa.

The reader, Carla Ekman, coordinates the program at Hope Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. A quick search on the Angel Food Ministries web site (www.angelfoodministries.com) showed another 20 churches within 40 miles of Cedar Rapids that offer this program.

It’s not a food bank. There are no qualifications, minimums, income restrictions, or applications.

Carla writes:

“Basically the way it works is ANYONE can preorder a monthly menu box for $30. The food has an average retail value of anywhere from $50 to $80 depending on what the menu for the month is and where you would normally purchase the food.  There are also specials available each month.  You can order as many boxes as you like. We have large families who order 4 to 6 boxes a month and save hundreds of dollars a month on their grocery bill.”

According to the ministry’s web site, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month. The food is all “restaurant grade.” There are no damaged, out-of-date or second-hand items. You can see menus by clicking here.