While donations decrease, Agape House sees need for more services

Published 5:00 pm Friday, August 25, 2023

HERMISTON — From May through July, Agape House provided food and other necessities to an average of 853 local families and 3,103 individuals each month.

“The number of people coming in for help has grown by leaps and bounds,” said Mark Gomolski, executive director of Eastern Oregon Mission, which oversees the Agape House as well as Martha’s House, a shelter that provides temporary housing for homeless families.

That increase in service has coincided with a recent decrease in financial support. The Agape House’s Backpack Program, for instance, was hit with bad news when Amazon reduced its $90,000 donation to $50,000. The program provides weekend meals for 250 area students during the school year and costs Agape House $9,000 a month. The food bank has been scrambling to make up the $40,000 shortfall.

“I guess people have the idea that the Agape House is doing OK,” volunteer Sherry Aubray said. “But without donations, we don’t do OK.”

Just recently, she said, 60 families and 15 homeless people came in for help. But with fewer financial contributions, Agape House had to cut back on the amount of food it gives.

Those receiving food include the elderly, children, the working poor, single-parent families, the homeless and the newly unemployed. Its program provides emergency food boxes to feed families for three to four days. Families can come in once a month for a box. Homeless people can come in twice a month, Gomolski said.

Agape House, 500 Harper Road, also has a Farm Workers Outreach Program.

“We realized the farm workers weren’t able to come here to get food because they are working all day,” he said. “So, we go to them with food.”

It also provides shower facilities, which were recently upgraded, for the homeless.

Donations come from various sources. Businesses, churches and service clubs donate every month. And, thanks to a $10,000 contribution from American Legion Post No. 37, Agape House was able to purchase a refrigerator after a member heard Gomolski on KOHU-AM 1360. He said he’s grateful that the radio station invites him on every month to talk about Agape House’s needs.

It also earns revenue from its Mini Treasures store, which sells new clothes, household items and other goods from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Wednesday.

“The prices are very good,” Gomolski said. “And the money stays right here to help support the programs and pay the bills. We have to deal with rising utility costs and insurance just like everybody else. It all costs money.”

The Agape House rents out its Altrusa Room for graduation parties and other events. Home Depot has stepped in to help on necessary paint jobs.

Gomolski said Agape House also seeks grant money for its programs.

“We are vigorously writing grant applications,” he said. “And if anyone knows about additional grant opportunities, we’d love to know about them.”

Along with financial help, Agape House needs volunteers. An average of about 30 put in a combined 140-160 hours each month. Tasks include packing food boxes and backpacks, driving a forklift and truck, and painting. According to Gomolski, about 10 rooms in Martha’s House need fresh coats.

Other ways to help include donating clothes, furniture and other household items, as well as cans and bottles for recycling. And, of course, donations of food are always welcome, along with financial contributions.

“They are all blessings,” Aubray said.

“We put everything to use — nothing gets wasted,” Gomolski added.

Agape House is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and from 9 a.m. to noon Fridays. For information, visit agapehousehermiston.org.