Agape Community Center of Milwaukee Inc

COMMUNITY FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM - COMMUNITY MEAL IS SERVED T-W-TH AT 5:30 PM. THE LEAD COOK IS IN CHARGE OF FOOD PREPARATION. THE FOOD IS SERVED FAMILY STYLE. MEAL ATTENDANCE VARIES DEPENDING ON THE SEASON, BUT USUALLY PEAKS BETWEEN JULY AND OCTOBER. OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 10,000 - 11,000 MEALS ARE SERVED. OVER 20 VOLUNTEER GROUPS ASSIST IN PREPARING AND SERVING THE FOOD. EACH GROUP HAS A SCHEDULED NIGHT, AND OFTEN PROVIDES SOME, IF NOT ALL OF THE FOOD TO BE SERVED. IN SOME CASES, AGAPE IS EXPECTED TO AUGMENT THE MENU WITH FOOD PROVIDED THROUGH THE HUNGER TASK FORCE COMMUNITY MEAL PROGRAM. MOST EVENINGS, THE WORK IN THE KITCHEN, INCLUDING DISHES AND CLEAN UP, IS COMPLETED BY 6:30 PM. THERE ARE NO INCOME OR GEOGRAPHIC RESTRICTIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY MEAL. NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVES - NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT STAFF AT AGAPE FOCUS EFFORTS TO ENHANCE THE KEY PRINCIPLES OF HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS: PHYSICAL CONDITION, NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTITY, NEIGHBORHOOD MANAGEMENT, AND THE RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO PROMOTE BOTH NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD MANAGEMENT. INTER-GENERATIONAL ACTIVITIES - AS A NEIGHBOR OF MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY'S FAMILIES, AGAPE IS A VITAL LINK IN THE CHAIN OF SUPPORT, PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES AND AD REFERRALS ALL DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO IDENTIFY NEEDS, BUILD ON STRENGTHS AND ENCOURAGE POSITIVE, LONG-LASTING RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN FAMILIES AND WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS PROGRAM MAKES THIS HAPPEN THROUGH EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, FAMILY FUN NIGHTS, SUPPORT GROUPS, REFERRALS TO OUTSIDE RESOURCES, HEALTH INITIATIVES, AND ASSISTANCE IN NAVIGATING GOVERNMENT, SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS. APPROXIMATELY 50 INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN ASSISTED IN THIS PROGRAM. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES - PROVIDES GED AND ADULT LITERACY CLASSES. IN ADDITION, JOB SKILLS, RESUME DEVELOPMENT, AND JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE ARE PROVIDED. THESE PROGRAMS ARE SELF FUNDED. THE EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN EVERY M-W-F FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM. THE PROGRAM IS MANAGED BY THE AGAPE COORDINATOR. FOOD IS DELIVERED MONTHLY THROUGH THE HUNGER TASK FORCE FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, HUNGER TASK FORCE PROVIDES MONTHLY CHECKS TO BUY FOOD. IF THE PANTRY RUNNING LOW ON FOOD, IT IS EXPECTED THAT AGAPE USE THE FUNDS TO REPLENISH THE SHELVES, UNTIL THE NEXT DELIVERY. IN ADDITION, MANY CHURCHES AND BUSINESSES DONATE FUNDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO SUPPORT THE PURCHASE OF FOOD. THROUGH THE PANTRY PROGRAM, AGAPE ALSO DISTRIBUTES OVER 400 THANKSGIVING TURKEYS IN NOVEMBER, AND ABOUT 50 CHRISTMAS DINNERS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED. APPROXIMATELY 320 FAMILIES ACCESS THE PANTRY EVERY MONTH. ABOUT SIX VOLUNTEERS CONSISTENTLY ASSIST CLIENTS CARRY FOOD AND OBTAIN THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FOOD BASED ON FAMILY SIZE.