News and Events (Feb 2010)

Download the Agape Site Plan (PDF, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Have you heard?  The shopping experience in western Auglaize County is expanding.  By early Spring 2010, the new 10,000-square-foot Agape Ministries Thrift Store will be open to the public.  The new store will be adjacent to the current facility.

According to the Agape Ministries executive director Kathy Bayless, “We have simply run out of room in our current store; thanks to generous community donations, many more items could be on display, but there is no room.  Our customer base has been growing significantly.  Shoppers are coming from areas as far away as Lima and Ft. Wayne.”
Agape co-director Pam Scheer explains that new and gently-used clothing, house wares, and media are available at the thrift store, along with a variety of other items.  “Since we rely on donations, our merchandise changes constantly, and shoppers return frequently.  The larger thrift store, will enable us to have so much more available to our customers.”
When the property next door became available, the Agape Board decided it was a good opportunity to expand.  It provided the perfect fit for Agape to hire H. A. Dorsten, a Minster based company, as the contractor for the job.  With the communities of western Auglaize county (Minster, New Bremen, New Knoxville and St. Marys) supporting Agape, it seemed only fitting for Agape to return the support.  Sales from the thrift store will be used to pay off the mortgage, along with providing operational expenses.

Currently the food pantry, client services area, offices, and the thrift store are all housed in one building.  The construction of the new thrift store will allow for an expansion of the food pantry and the client services area in the existing building.  Agape Ministries provides food and clothing to individuals and families in time of disaster or in time of economic hardship.  Through the Helping Hands Financial Aid Fund Program, Agape is also able to provide some financial assistance to individuals and families in need. 

Agape Ministries has seen a continuing increase in the need for its services.  Economic pressures in the form of fluctuating gasoline prices, higher food prices, job loss, working hour reduction, job scarcity, and many other contributing factors are creating a greater need for our services.
Husky Energy of Lima has donated several computers which will be available for client use, specifically to gain access to the Ohio Benefit Bank website, where clients will be able to apply for food stamps, check their status, and perform other tasks, right here rather than at the Ohio Jobs and Family Services office in Wapakoneta.

Part of the current building will be used for other services, such as job clinics and wellness screenings.  There is a need for job fairs and workshops on how to attain jobs, along with seminars provided by temporary hiring agencies and potential employers.  One of the goals at Agape Ministries is to help our clients gain the skills and knowledge to get back on their feet. 
Due to economic hardship so many of the clients are unable to have yearly doctor consultations.  Wellness screenings, through Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, will now be held on a regular basis to check vital statistics and to advise clients on how to care for themselves and their children. 

Expanded facilities will also allow the Ohio State University extension services to provide classes in areas such as budgeting and nutrition, along with programs on meal preparation and recipe information.  Agape plans to have OSU Extension Service on-site twice a month.
An area of the expanded client services building will be reserved for private reflection.  It is hoped that Agape’s relationship with their clients can provide an attitude of Christian caring for both the body and the spirit.

Throughout the course of the year, Agape Ministries has a variety of programs in addition to the free choice pantry and the thrift store.  These include, Helping Hands Financial Aid, Senior Box Program, Disaster Relief Program, School Supplies Program, One Warm Coat Program, Slumber Fun (collecting and distributing new pajamas, blankets and slipper socks for children from birth to age 18), Warm Feet Program (collecting and distributing new socks), and Hats, Gloves, Scarves and Mittens Program.

Funding for Agape Ministries is provided by various private foundations, Agape Thrift Store sales, United Way of Auglaize County, Inc., federal and private grants, but mostly through monetary donations from community members.  Agape is able to exist and provide for those in need because of and through the kindness and generosity of our communities.  Agape Ministries is truly an organization for the people by the people.