Making a Difference

Master Sgt. Don Jessee, 8th Air Force first sergeant, works a food box assembly line with other first sergeants and volunteers outside the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron warehouse at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 11. Angel Food Ministries visited Barksdale, for the first time, to deliver more than 220 boxes of food to Airmen and their families.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joanna M. Kresge)(Released)

For the Holidays

A Barksdale Airman and her daughter carry a food box outside the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron warehouse at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 11. Angel Food Ministries visited Barksdale, for the first time, to deliver more than 220 boxes of food to Airmen and their families.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joanna M. Kresge)(Released)

Lending a Hand

Volunteers assemble food boxes outside the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron warehouse at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 11. Angel Food Ministries visited Barksdale, for the first time, to deliver more than 220 boxes of food to Airmen and their families.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joanna M. Kresge)(Released)

Assembly Line

First Sergeants and volunteers assemble food boxes outside the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron warehouse at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 11. Angel Food Ministries visited Barksdale, for the first time, to deliver more than 220 boxes of food to Airmen and their families.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joanna M. Kresge)(Released)

Angels descend upon Barksdale

Published Dec. 17, 2007
By Senior Airman Alyssa Miles
2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Nine members of the Angel Food Ministries staff visited Barksdale Tuesday to deliver boxes of food to more than 220 Barksdale families in support of the base's Operation Warm Heart. Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization that is dedicated to helping families by boxing up fresh and frozen food items and selling the packages for an affordable price.

For $28, base Airmen received a sliced turkey dinner, lean beef patties, chicken breasts, gourmet sausage, rice, fresh onions, a dessert item and more.

"In 1994, we started off feeding about 34 people a month from our back porch," said Joseph Wingo, AFM chief executive officer. "Now, we spend $12 to $15 million a month feeding more than 545,000 people across 35 states."

The AFM menus change each month and contain both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of around $60. Overall, one unit of food can feed a family of four for a week or a single senior citizen for almost a month.

"With all the events around Christmas time, and having our people deployed, this really helps our folks make ends meet towards the end of the year," said Col. Robert Wheeler, 2d Bomb Wing commander. "We really appreciate Angel Food Ministries' visit and for making a difference to our military families."

This delivery was not only special to local Airmen but to AFM as well.

"This is the first military installation we've made deliveries to," Mr. Wingo added. "Hopefully this is the first step to opening doors to other installations."

The Airmen who purchased food from AFM are not the only ones who will benefit from the money spent.

"One dollar from each purchase will come back to the base in support of Operation Warm Heart," Mr. Wingo said.

According to Mr. Wingo, there are no qualifications to receive this service.

"We applaud you for what you are doing," he said. "We love our country and we want to do whatever we can to help."

For more information on AFM, visit www.angelfoodministry.com.