DECATUR - Angel Food Ministries' troubles at the national level had a noticeable impact on both churches involved locally with the organization, with fewer people coming in for their monthly supply of discounted food.

Sheila Overheul has seen a significant decrease in the number of orders at the distribution site at Niantic Foursquare Church.

Phyliss Slaughter is thinking about discontinuing the Angel Food Ministry at New Salem Baptist Church, as the number of food orders has dropped.

"The orders have been down; we've even lost some of our regular customers," said Slaughter, who thinks it is related to a lawsuit by two board members and an FBI investigation into alleged financial misdeeds that hit the national Angel Food Ministries, which is headquartered in Monroe, Ga.

"We don't want to end this, but I am thinking of giving it just another month to see how things go," she said.

Slaughter said she had 28 orders in March, 20 in April, 10 in May and only 12 in June.

A few weeks ago, Overheul sat at the Phillips 66 gas station off Wyckles Road in Decatur waiting for people to sign up. Only one person showed up.

Overheul said the number of food orders plunged from 62 in April, 49 in May, down to less than 30 in June.

"Food pantry numbers are up, and our numbers are down, so what does that tell you?" Overheul said. "Some people think the church is doing the ministry to make money, but the church is just the host site where we distribute the food. But if people don't take advantage of this, we'll eventually have to stop."

Overheul said she was relieved that that lawsuit against Monroe, Ga.-based Angel Food Ministries was settled.

A judge in June allowed an agreement between two board members who filed the lawsuit and Angel Food founders Joe and Linda Wingo, who were accused of siphoning $2.7 million from the multimillion-dollar nonprofit.

The Wingos founded Angel Food Ministries in 1994 as a way to help needy families after a manufacturing plant closed in Monroe. The charity sells $140 million worth of cut-rate food through churches each year.

The FBI's investigation into Angel Food found no wrongdoing by the Wingos, and no charges were brought against the company, said Juda Englemeyer, communications director and spokesman for Angel Food Ministries.

Englemeyer said the company did not see any trend or drastic fall in orders each month since the lawsuit.

"There have been a lot of questions and concerns, but we're still getting a lot of support," he said. "And after being in court (on June 19), we can put all this behind us."

The Rev. J.C. Neff, minister of outreach for Angel Food Ministries of Illinois, with 200 host sites around the state, believes orders will pick up. He also pastors Grace Family Church in Effingham.

Neff said that statewide, Angel Food Ministries has gone from 10,000 orders a month down to 7,000 this year. He believes this is due to the recession combined with the allegations against the nonprofit.

"We thought during this recession, things would be booming, but they have dropped some," Neff said. "I don't think it has so much to do with the public as it does with the churches waiting on the fence to see what happens. Now, we'll see a turnaround."

He added: "I trust the Wingos and stood by them or else I wouldn't be in this ministry, but you would think that people would want to save. Angel Food Ministries does provide a savings; it's good food, and we take the Link card."

Angel Food Ministries also has changed its menu, providing more options. What used to be a lot of processed food has been done away with, Neff said, and now there are more meats and healthier entrees in the signature box, along with fresh vegetable and fruit boxes that have become the biggest sellers.

"To me, this ministry is a real blessing to people and helps the churches," he said.

Overheul also has strong faith in continuing the food relief ministry at Niantic Foursquare Church.

"We believe this is what the Lord called us to do," she said, adding that Angel Food headquarters only reimburses her $1 per food box that she sells. That little money pays for gas to travel to Decatur, making flyers and postage, she said.

Todd Kapper usually gets a box of food every month from Angel Food Ministries at Niantic Foursquare.

"I get a box of food so that I don't have to plan meals, and they even give you recipes. It's all good," said the bachelor, who added that he looks for ways to cut back and save money.

Dorothy Short also picks up her senior box of food every month at Niantic Foursquare. "It's very nutritious, tasty and very handy," she said.

Stephanie and George Shride live in Decatur but traveled to Niantic to pick up their Angel Food box for the first time. "I am glad for this," Stephanie Shride said of the savings.

Niantic Foursquare Church's Angel Food Ministry will take orders from 6 to 7 p.m. today at Illiopolis Mini Mall; 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 10, at Phillips 66 off Wyckles Road, Decatur; and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at Niantic Foursquare Church; or visit www.angelfoodministries.com.

New Salem Baptist Church's Angel Food Ministry, 1415 N. Edward St., will be taking orders from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 11, and Monday, July 13.

July's Menu Signature Box is $30 and includes New York strip steaks, boneless pork roast, lean ground beef, chicken breast fajita, chicken stir-fry skillet meal, deli sliced ham, chunk light tuna, fresh fajita veggie kit, fresh large baking potatoes, pasta, pasta sauce, dozen eggs and milk.

Additional specials include the fresh fruit and veggie box for $22, assorted meat grill box for $23 (rib-eye steaks, pork ribs, hamburger steaks, bratwurst with cheese) or gourmet flavored chicken breast fillets for $20.

sheilas@herald-review.com|421-7963