Angel Food Ministries is going out of business. For 17 years the Monroe, Georgia based company provided discounted groceries to families across the country.

According to a press release on the company website, the multi-million dollar food nonprofit says it will cease operations immediately.

Angel Food was started in 1994 by pastors Joe and Linda Wingo with 34 families in Monroe, Ga. At its height, the organization grew through a network of churches to feed more than 500,000 families a month in 45 states.

The organization ran into trouble in 2009 when the FBI searched its offices. The Wingos and one of their sons were on staff.

Joe Wingo's reported salary in 2009 was more than $694,000

Contributors: Dominick Brady

Tags: recession, Food Bank, Angel Food Ministries