AGAPE Network: Who We Are & What We Do
The mission of AGAPE Network is to supplement the nutritional needs of individuals and families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. AGAPE also collaberates with other valley organizations to provide direct and/or referral services in an effort to meet clients' nutritional, emotional, social, and educational needs.
How AGAPE Network's Food Box Is Created
Preparation for AGAPE’s food box takes into account the fact that the nutritional needs of our clients are high. To do this, the Food Box Director and the C.E.O. read the ads and select a variety of sale items. They work in close contact with our Treasurer who keeps our facts and figures current. The Food Box Director and C.E.O. are responsible for keeping an overall list — so variety abounds. It is such a blessing that a nutritionist is provided to us. She has been pleased to see that due to the variety, all but 2 of our clients have gained weight. They are being provided liquid supplements and vitamins by her and we are buying foods which are easy to fix, high in nutrition and things our clients really like.
Who We Are: AGAPE Network's Current Board & Staff
AGAPE Network's 2010 Board of Directors
Rev. Terese E. (Bonnie) Ott, Chief Executive Officer
Ms. H. Tory Stanley, Secretary & Food Box Director
Mr. R. Kevin Andersen, Treasurer & Statutory Agent
Mr. Dan A. Galloway, Member-At-Large
Ms. Cynthia A. Trottier, Member-At-Large
Dr. Kenneth M. Fisher, Member-At-Large
AGAPE CEO, Rev. Bonnie Ott
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AGAPE's Chief Executive Officer has 30 years of experience as a Psychiatric Registered Nurse and Director of Nursing. She also has 7 years experience as licensed clergy. She holds a Masters in Theology and a BSN in nursing. She began caring for people with AIDS in 1986.
The AGAPE Network's Board Secretary & Food Box Director is a retired Hearing Judge for Social Security in the State of California.
Cynthia Trottier, the Treasurer, is retired from 25 years in a local food company. She was a department head and driver manager. In her younger days she spent 4 years in the Marine Corp. Cynthia has degrees in Physiology, Business, and Hotel Management. She was a volunteer 10 years for AGAPE prior to accepting this position.
Food Box Director, Tory Stanley
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The AGAPE Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers have a deep camaraderie and passion for caring for those inflicted with or affected by HIV and AIDS. The AGAPE Board is fortunate to have many qualified, caring people, including an eminent physician whose specialty is the care of people living with AIDS; a marketing research person; a teacher-educator who travels, helping teachers with problems; and a person with a background in operations management.
AGAPE Network: A Timeline
In the spring of 1988, 8 people from two Phoenix-area Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) joined together, concerned about the unmet nutritional needs of those living with AIDS. They knew that many people living with AIDS (PLWA) could not afford to eat properly because they had been fired from their jobs or were too ill to work. Too many had incomes below or at poverty levels. The group believed Jesus was calling them to “feed my sheep.” (John 21:15- 17)
From the start, free lunches were provided weekly with social time and table games played after the lunch. Oasis MCC and Gentle Shepherd MCC helped create a Board with equal organizational votes. A vision was held of involving other churches and individuals to work together in this ministry. By October 1, 1988, AGAPE Network was incorporated with the State of Arizona as a non-profit organization.
AGAPE responded to community and individual needs and began to offer more services. It became apparent that some people were too ill to come to the lunches and the group began to provide 3 food boxes a month to these clients. The number served rapidly increased to 12, then 20, and included 5 food boxes provided monthly to Phoenix Shanti for their clients. Emergency food boxes were also provided to individuals. Volunteers held fundraisers and churches donated funds to help buy the needed food. Volunteers provided speakers to high schools and other organizations. Workshops were held on AIDS and dealing with death and dying. Volunteers made over 100 hospital visits and assisted 8 families with memorial services.
1990
By 1990, volunteers were preparing meals and packaging them in containers for microwaving by clients who were too weak to cook and had no one to help them. Volunteers donated a freezer for the storage of these meals and delivered 1-2 weeks of meals as needed to a few clients.
1991
In 1991, AGAPE had become involved with the Walk for Life, enlisting walkers and staffing an information table. We became affiliated with St. Mary’s Food Bank’s Food Care Program, and its’ members worked with Volunteers in Direct Aid (VIDA) and the Joshua Tree Feeding Program for their clients’ Holiday party. Microwaves were donated and loaned to clients who needed one to use our delivered meals. Raffles, bingo, bake sales and yard sales were held to raise the money needed to buy the increasing number of food boxes and meals. When able, AGAPE also helped with clients’ medication costs and insurance premiums as this assistance was not available elsewhere.
1992
1992 saw AGAPE providing 25 food boxes a month to clients. The members began the paperwork process necessary to achieve Federal 501(c)(3) status. Oasis MCC remained involved with the group but Gentle Shepherd MCC withdrew its formal participation. Augustana Lutheran Church was supportive and AGAPE sought closer ties with them.
1993
In February 1993, AGAPE Network was granted 501(c)(3) status. AGAPE participated in the Walk for Life planning, served on the Steering Committee and received Walk proceeds. Mike Norman, a Board member, worked with the Deaf Club and hearing-impaired clients until his death from AIDS. Volunteers presented several seminars and staffed information tables at schools. The number of monthly food boxes increased to 30 and there was a four-fold increase in the number of frozen meals delivered. The Luncheon program moved to Augustana Lutheran Church in October. Christmas gifts were provided to clients through cooperating groups.
1994
In 1994, AGAPE began to provide food boxes to the Shanti Houses. The number per month increased to 45, then 50. 100 to 150 frozen meals were being provided a month. 20 to 40 persons ate lunch weekly, despite problems finding luncheon coordinators due to work schedules and illness. The Lesbian and Gay Community Center donated space and power for our freezers. Aunt Rita’s Foundation provided a grant which supplemented fundraising efforts. AGAPE volunteers provided nutritional information and a workshop at Arizona State University. We also sponsored a workshop on Burnout/AIDS/and Stress Management. Volunteers participated in World AIDS Day events and AIDS candlelight memorial services, AGAPE Network, Malta Center and Joshua Tree Feeding Program joined together to form a coalition called Coalition of Meal Providers (C.O.M.P.) in August to share resources and seek funding.
1995
In 1995, AGAPE staffed a table and participated in two days’ activities in February while the AIDS Memorial Quilt was on display at the Phoenix Civic Center. Easter and Christmas meals were provided at Augustana Lutheran Church. AGAPE’s longtime partner Oasis MCC closed. The AGAPE Board now became a group of individuals rather than agency representatives. Volunteers attended Maricopa County Coalition of AIDS Providers (MCCAP) meetings to make known the need for nutritional services. We provided special low fat and liquid meals when this need arose. Toilet articles were included in some of the 60 food boxes we now supplied each month.
Agencies helped us provide clothing and toys for involved children. The Camelback Business and Professional Association donated food. The Junior League began to help with regular deliveries. The agencies that helped with food, money and appliances were The Phantom of The Opera Production Company, Arizona Gay Rodeo Association, Paradise Valley Life Care Center and We Rent Appliances.
1996
By 1996, AGAPE became an all volunteer Agency. It was a voting member of The Arizona AIDS Foundation (AAF). We provided 75 food boxes and 175-200 frozen meals a month. With MCC’s help, 45 Easter hams were provided to clients. Nutritional handouts are provided to clients. Four of the founding members remained with AGAPE. Ryan White Title I funding was received. We were participating in the Walk for Life at committee levels. Christmas gifts for our clients were donated by The Community Church of Hope, Gentle Shepherd MCC, Healing Waters Ministry and Augustana Lutheran Church.
1997
In January 1997, the number of food boxes had increased to 80 per month. The Hot Lunch Program continued at Augustana. The Lunch program operated from September to the end of May. There were 868 lunches served, 126 take home meals and 310 meals provided to the Frozen Meal program. The Shepherd Foundation provided gifts for the children of our clients each month and Phoenix Light of the Lamb Christian Church also provided food items for our clients. Volunteers continued to assemble and deliver the food boxes. AGAPE Board members and volunteers participated in many community activities during the year. Some of the activities were A.S.U.’s Spring Volunteer Fair, Aunt Rita’s 97 Auction and Bake Sale, Phoenix College Living and Grief Conference and the Gay Pride Festival. Our Articles of Incorporation were revised.
1998
1998 saw AGAPE continuing to be affiliated with the Food Care Program of St. Mary’s Food Bank. Additional food commodities were now provided by the United Food Bank in Mesa. The demand for our services necessitated the need for a larger facility. The number of food boxes had increased to about 100 per month. After making a search for donated space, we finally had to lease a unit in an office complex to do the food boxes. The Hot Lunch Program continued to be held at Augustana Lutheran Church providing meals to approximately 30 persons each week. Pride Movers agreed to transport the food from St. Mary’s Food Bank to our facility at no cost. Board members and our volunteers continued to be active in many community activities and fundraisers during the year. Several Phoenix Churches assisted in providing a quantity of gifts for our clients at Christmas.
1999
The year 1999 found Agape having to expand the space needed and another unit was leased with access provided between the two units. We continued to provide about 100 regular and emergency food boxes a month and the hot lunch program continued at Augustana. Volunteers still served on the Board of Directors as well as assembled and delivered the food boxes. Volunteers In Direct Aid (VIDA) donated a refrigeration unit to us. Several food drives were held by various organizations to stock our pantry. We participated in the AIDS Walk for Life, the Great Human Race, Phoenix College’s AIDS Awareness Day and the Thanksgiving dinner at Trinity Cathedral. Helped staff several C.O.M.P. fundraising events and obtained and sold Red Ribbon Crosses pins as a fundraiser.
Also, 1999 saw AGAPE completing our 6th year with St. Mary’s Food Bank and their Food Share Program. We were able to buy food boxes for $14.00 containing approximately $35.00 of food. The United Food Bank in Mesa provided additional food commodities to supplement our food box program.
2000
The year 2000 saw the Shepherd Foundation giving support to our Clients’ children by providing monthly gift bags, school supplies and Christmas gifts. Phoenix Unified Gay Bowling Alliance (PUGBA) provided food, toiletries and financial assistance. AGAPE staffed information tables at the Great Human Race and AIDS Walk Arizona. In January, AGAPE started providing a second food box to our Clients on the 1st Saturday of the month. Clients had to pick this food box up. On the 3rd Saturday, the food boxes were either picked up or delivered.
2001
The number of food boxes increased during 2001 to approximately 180 boxes being delivered and 50 being picked up on the 1st Saturday. With a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, AGAPE was able to purchase a commercial grade refrigerator, freezers and steel shelving. A van had to be rented to pick up the food for the 1st Saturday food boxes. The current drug “cocktail” treatments as well as more available resources seemed to reduce the demand for the frozen meal program so it was discontinued. The decreasing participation of our clients in the Hot Luncheon program led to us discontinuing it. We participated in AIDS Walk Arizona.
2002
In 2002, the need for our food boxes increased to about 60 on the 1st Saturday and 200 on the 2nd Saturday. Additional food and financial assistance was received from the Bowling Leagues, the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association (AGRA) and Gentle Shepherd MCC. Besides the food and financial help, Gentle Shepherd raised funds and donated turkeys for our Clients for Thanksgiving. AGAPE participated in the AIDS Walk Arizona and the first annual Rainbows Festival.
2003
During 2003, the total number of food boxes provided each month rose to about 250. With a grant from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Inc. another refrigerator was purchased. Food and financial donations continued to be received from numerous Businesses, Organizations and Churches.
2004
2004 saw AGAPE completing our 11th year with St. Mary’s Food Bank through their Food Care Program and United Food Bank continued to provide commodities to supplement our food boxes. AGAPE Board members and volunteers helped at the AGRA Rodeo.
2005
A major change was made in AGAPE’s 2005 operations as the food box distribution days were changed to the 1st & 3rd Fridays . This move meant the Pride Movers were no longer able to pick up the food from St. Mary’s Food Bank, resulting in the need to rent a truck to pick up the food. AGAPE participated in the first Aunt Rita’s SavorLife Dinner Fundraiser and received a portion of the funds that were raised.
2006
During 2006, AGAPE started purchasing our produce from Willie Itule Produce, Inc. to provide a better variety and higher quality for our clients.
2007
2007 saw another change in AGAPE’s operations: AGAPE made the decision to create our own food boxes. It increased our work appreciably, but we were glad to accept the added work in order to provide the much-needed variety for those we serve.
Arrangements were made with a local supermarket chain to be able to purchase their sale items in case lots at the sale price. Except for the produce, this provides all of the food items for the boxes. With funds received from the Murray Trust, another 2 door freezer was purchased and a donation of a 1994 Ford van by Community Tire & Automotive Service meant AGAPE no longer had to rent a van or use Board members' or volunteers' vehicles to pick up our food.
2008 to the Present
The present time finds us occupying 4 units at 2425 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, where we have been for 11 years.
This past year. we were burglarized and lost approximately $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 dollars consisting of computers, copiers and food items. Our van was also stolen but was recovered quickly by the Phoenix Police. Insurance compensated most of our loss except for our deductible.
This past year we have updated our technology to be part of CAREWare. In the past year, we have increased to serving 350 food boxes each month!
Food box prep day—which is the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month—starts at 7 am. Volunteers arrive and the food is assembled and bagged for our clients. A nutritionist comes once a month to address any questions or problems our clients may have. We follow precisely the nutritional pyramid and offer diversity in the food boxes so our clients are now gaining weight and are pleased with their food boxes.