When Joseph and Josephine Heintz of Nevada went grocery shopping Saturday, it wasn’t at Cub Foods, Fareway or even Hy-Vee.

The Heintz’s shopped at North Grand Christian Church, 919 30th St. No, the North Grand Christian Church hasn’t changed business from God to groceries, they’ve become a host site for Angel Food Ministries — a non-profit, non-denominational organization that provides discount groceries for those who order.

Angel Food doesn’t have an application process, nor do they have criteria into which customers must fit. Customers are required to pay $30 for $60 worth of groceries. The group also accepts food stamps.

A different menu is available each month with additional options to choose from.

From frozen ribeye steaks to spaghetti noodles and frozen chicken breasts to boxed oatmeal cookies, the Heintz’s picked up groceries Josephine thinks will last them for over a month.

The Heintz’s learned of Angel Food Ministries in their home parish, Memorial Lutheran Church, and decided to try it. Last month was their first time ordering the food and picking it up at North Grand.

“It’s a good deal — especially now, when groceries are so high,” Josephine said. “And there are eggs and there’s milk, there’s quite a variety.”

Mike Morton, North Grand Christian Church’s Associate Pastor and host site director, said the Angel Food Ministries program isn’t one of handouts or anything which may impose a sense of shame on the individuals or families who order.

“It’s not a handout, it’s more of a hand up,” Morton said.

The Heintz’s agree with Morton’s philosophy.

“It helps with the groceries, especially the meat — meat, it so expensive,” Josephine said.

Morton said he became interested when he talked to someone who was picking up their groceries through an Ankeny host site. After visiting the host site and exploring the concepts of the program, he applied for North Grand Christian Church to become a host site. The site was approved and has been a site for pick-ups since July.

The Heintz’s said they’re hoping a host site will open in Nevada so they will be able to pick their groceries up closer to home. They said they’ve attended an informational meeting about this and hope it will open up before winter begins.

But for now, they’ll continue to order through Angel Food Ministries and pick up their groceries in Ames. Although it may be a bit of a drive for the Heintz’s, they don’t mind it.

“It’s really a good deal, a lot of good food,” Josephine said.

More information about Angel Food Ministries is available through its Web site at www.angelfoodministries.com.