Not so angelic Angel Food Ministries

Angel Food Ministries, a nonprofit organization that distributes meals to the needy, has recently found themselves in the spotlight—but not for their charitable contributions to society. The group has been subject to FBI searches and the treasurer was accused of sexual harassment. The AJC’s coverage of the nonprofit provides a textbook example on avoiding libel while covering sensitive situations.

The first article reports on two search warrants the FBI served on Angel Food ministries. The second graph has a statement from a FBI declining to give the reason for the searches, followed two graphs later by an explanation that a call to the organization was not returned. After giving a brief background on the nonprofit and how it was started, there is a statement from a woman who claimed her church didn’t get their designated percentage from food sales.

Throughout the article, the writer uses facts such as the founder’s conviction of extortion and his family’s income to hint at what might be the reason for the searches but doesn’t make any accusations. Everything in the article has attributions to verifiable sources such as the IRS, giving him further protection. A more recent article reported that the founders of the organization are being sued for taking kickbacks from vendors and taking money for themselves.

Another article reports on the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former Angel Food Ministries employee against Andy Wingo, the son of founder Joe Wingo and treasurer for the organization. The writer, who did all three stories, ties this lawsuit together with the events of the previous stories. As in the other story, he reports on who didn’t answer phone calls and what those who did said. The writer’s careful reporting of the facts and use of attribution will protect him if a member of Angel Food ministries decides to sue him for libel.