Where Hearts Connect and Gaps Close
AGAPE is a non-denominational, faith-based mission to serve the people in our area. Our goal is to “fill in the gaps” which currently exist between people in need, and the community services available to assist them. We refuse to allow good people to fall through cracks in the systems that were designed to help them.
The Mission of AGAPE Love From Above to Our Community is to meet needs
where no other support exists through sharing the Love of Jesus Christ.
The AGAPE ministry began in July 2009.
We primarily serve families throughout Columbia and Montour counties, however, during the 2011 Tropical Storm Lee flood AGAPE helped families throughout six counties.
In 2011, AGAPE was awarded the Humanitarian Award from the Alcoa Foundation.
In 2013, AGAPE provided $46,685 in non-perishable foods and $78,080 in other in-kind items to local organizations and other agencies.
In February 2013, the first two individuals to successfully graduate from the Columbia County Drug Court Program completed their community service hours through AGAPE.
In December 2013, 11 graduates completed AGAPE’s first 16-week “Getting Ahead in a ‘Just Gettin’ By World” poverty-reduction training series.
Since 2013, AGAPE has helped over 1,700 clients with over $122,000 worth of clothing through our monthly clothing giveaway.
There has been a 17.6% increase in the number of meals provided through our weekly DailyBread meal from 2013 to 2014.
In 2014, we served 5,376 hot lunches through our weekly DailyBread meal.
In 2014, AGAPE served 131 homeless clients (not including those served through the Project Fozen: Sharing the Warmth program), accounting for almost 10% of our total clients served.
94 cents of every dollar goes directly to the program.
In 2017, AGAPE provided $2,311,416.06 in total assistance! We also had 31,674 Volunteer Hours!
In 2018, AGAPE provided $25,381.79 worth of Disaster Relief!
In 2019, received Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce’s Non-Profit of the Year award.
Throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic, AGAPE provided $92,075.92 in financial assistance and distributed 623,567.47 lbs. of food to our communities.
In 2021, AGAPE acquired a larger building with immense support from a generous donor.
AGAPE has since moved to its new location in March 2022 and continues to fulfill its mission of serving Columbia, Montour, and Northumberland counties!
Our Values
Humility
Compassion
Collaboration
Our Guide
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger
and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted
for the sake of righteousness,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10
Our History
The history of AGAPE and its service to the Columbia and Montour county residents began in July 2006 when Mission Central’s vision of hub expansion throughout the communities was first suggested at the Annual Conference of the Central Susquehanna United Methodist Church. The idea for a Mission Central Hub in the Bloomsburg area expanded to include addressing the needs of our local communities. The vision to “fill in the gaps so no one falls through the cracks” was created and in December 2008, the first AGAPE Board of Directors was appointed.
AGAPE opened its doors to the community in July 2009, where initial services provided were the receipt and distribution of used furniture and linens, providing informational assistance, and referral services. AGAPE assisted 349 families in its first five months (July to December 2009). In its first full year, AGAPE’s eight programs provided $53,807.53 in assistance to 1,073 families.
Read Full History
In September 2011, Tropical Storm Lee hit Northeast Pennsylvania leading to the most damaging flooding in this area in over 100 years. AGAPE was designated the Flood Recovery Center for Columbia County. At that time, AGAPE coordinated over 5,000 volunteers to help individuals with clean-up and rebuilding throughout the region. AGAPE distributed recovery supplies to communities in six counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania. An estimated $2,000,000 was distributed in flood relief, clean-up, rebuilding, and refurnishing assistance.
In 2012 AGAPE continued to serve the community by continued assistance to flood survivors through final distribution of clean-up and rebuilding supplies, and volunteers helping with rebuilding efforts. Between 2012 and 2016 AGAPE returned to its original mission of serving those in need of housing, financial assistance, household goods, and programming to assist them in becoming self-sufficient.
In 2016 we realized we needed more space as our 16,000 square foot building was bulging at the seams. We began a building search. Through our holistic approach to addressing our community’s needs in 2017 we succeeded in serving 92 homeless individuals, providing $69,966 in total financial assistance, distributing 1,348,371.15 lbs of food and serving 8,241 hot meals to our communities.
AGAPE’s programs have expanded since its beginning. We now have programs addressing Women’s Hygiene, Cloth Diapers, Hope and Healing, a very expanded food distribution program DailyBREAD, Happy Tails (pet food and products). We are also the administrator of the Columbia County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (CCCOAD).
Continuing our holistic approach for serving our clients’ needs, in 2018 AGAPE served 87 homeless individuals, provided household goods valued at $452,930.55; provided $98,374,92. in financial assistance; distributed 1,053,844 pounds of food; distributed 23,459 food backpacks for school children; provided 7,091 hot meals; distributed 30,666 pounds of clothing; $25,381.79 in disaster relief; and recorded 34,393 volunteer hours.
Despite the pandemic during 2020-2021,we succeeded in serving 185 homeless individuals, providing $92,075.92 in total financial assistance, distributing 623,567.47 lbs and serving 2,666 hot meals to our communities. (YES Do you want any WIN, Happy Tails, storemore or clothing stats)?? Volunteer hours
After looking around our two counties to meet our expanding needs, in 2021 we finally found a 100,000 square foot building with lots of parking and room for future expansion. But the asking price for the building was $1,750,000. We only had $250,000. An extremely generous donor gave us the additional $1.5 million needed to purchase the building with the condition we raise an additional $1.1 million dollars in three months as a match. By the end of June 2021 we had in excess of $1.1 million raised by a Christian consulting firm that ran a capital campaign for us. That match is now paying for the renovations we have been required to make.. God is so good!
On March 5, 2022 AGAPE, with the help of community volunteers of all ages, moved into its new building though renovations are still in progress. As of the end of July 2022 we have returned to almost fully meeting our mission of helping those in need within our two counties. These accomplishments would not be possible without our dedicated staff of 13, our very generous donors and wonderfully faithful volunteers. Above all, however, we have been blessed beyond measure by our Almighty, loving full of grace and mercy God!
Our Board
Karla Alexander
Executive Director
Sandie Yule
Secretary
Jennifer Cughan
Board Member
Tom O'Keefe
Board Member
Dave Utt
Board Member
Diedra Huber
Accountant (Non Board Member)
Jodi Berry
President
Marty Bowman
Treasurer
Aaron Flook
Board Member
Frank Orzolek
Board Member
Krunal Thakore
Board Member
Ben Titman
Vice President
Tiffany Bienkowski
Board Member
Greg Molter
Board Member
Mike Trombly
Board Member
Eileen Chapman
Emeritus Director
Join Our Team
Every employee at AGAPE plays an important role in our efforts to stomp out poverty and
we’re especially interested if you share our passion and desire to make a difference.
