The old adage that you can’t get something for nothing is true. But it’s also true that, every now and then, it’s possible to get something of value at bargain prices.

Hephzibah Baptist Church is providing such an opportunity for the people of Pike County.

Hephzibah has partnered with Angel Food Ministries, a national organization that distributes inexpensive, restaurant-quality to people from all walks of life.

“This is not just a program for low income people,” said the Rev. Don Hatcher, church pastor. “The purpose of Angel Food Ministries is to make food available at a discounted rate to anyone who wants it. There is no application fee. You don’t have to provide personal information. All you have to do is show up and pay the fee and you can pay with cash or with food stamps. It’s that simple.”

Something that “simple” surely must have a catch somewhere but Hatcher said, no. Angel Food Ministries is exactly what it says it is.

“This is a non-denominational ministry offered to communities and everyone can participate regardless of income,” Hatcher said. “We did a test run at Hephzibah with 47 orders and we were very well pleased.”

The fee per box of food is $30 and contains between $60 and $80 worth of food and includes frozen meats, vegetables, eggs, milk desserts and other products.

“Each box contains enough food to make a week of meals for a family of four,” Hatcher said. “The food is not seconds. It’s not bent cans and it’s not day-old food. The foods are high quality at an affordable price. Thirty-five companies make foods available to Angel Food Ministries and the menus for each month are available on angelfoodministries.com website.”

Hatcher said the November box contained frozen steaks, chicken fingers, boneless chicken breasts and wieners among other foods.

To participate in the Angel Food Ministries program offered through Hephzibah Baptist Church in Troy, one must place an order for the box and then pay the $30 fee at the church prior to the delivery date.

“We are taking orders now for the January delivery,” Hatcher said. “However, the church office will be closed until Jan. 5, so orders will have to be placed by telephone and paid for when the church office opens after the first of the year.”

The people and numbers to call to place orders for the January delivery are Mary Voigt at 334-613-9755 and Willie Mae Turner at 566-0831.

Food boxes will be available for pickup at Hephzibah Baptist Church on one Saturday morning each month. The dates will be made available.

“With the high price of foods and the way the economy is, this program will be a wonderful ministry for all people in our area,” Hatcher said. “I was impressed by the groceries in the boxes and I want to encourage the community to participate in this program. It’s not a give-away program. It’s a program that offers quality foods at affordable prices and to all people.”