For many households throughout our region, times are tough and trying to make ends meet is a constant challenge. The fact that 43% of them struggle to meet essential needs like rent, utilities, food, transportation, and medical costs underscores the severity of this issue.
During times like this, United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) nonprofit partner agencies are essential to our efforts to impact positive change. UWGSL funds 160 local nonprofits who we are collaborating with every day to alleviate burdens weighing on many families right now. By working with our safety net of nonprofit partner agencies, we are working to create a better, brighter future for our region.
The power of united impact
UWGSL’s partnership with nonprofits like AGAPE Community Outreach is a prime example of our efforts to pursue positive change. Their holistic approach to addressing what individuals and families need most to move them from crisis to stability helps us lower that 43% statistic.
AGAPE focuses on helping the homeless, hurting, and hungry throughout Warren County by offering a variety of programs and services that empower individuals and families to become self-sufficient. Celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, they hope to continue what their organization was founded upon – bringing people together to find collaborative solutions to growing needs throughout the communities they serve.
“I think the 30-year anniversary of our organization is such a true testament to the compassion and generosity of this community in which we work,” said Michelle Bernth, Executive Director of AGAPE Community Outreach. “These 30 years have been a real showcase of what a small group of people can do when they really want to make a difference in their community. I continue to be inspired by the families we serve, how we are impacting lives, and changing the trajectory that they are on.”
Over the years, there have been countless success stories of people who overcame crises because of AGAPE’s efforts to help them:
- “We both work hard, but sometimes it still isn’t enough. We don’t always need the food pantry, but on months when things get really tough, we know that we can always turn to AGAPE and they will be there to help us. Without AGAPE, there would have been times that my kids didn’t have anything at all to eat.”
- “I had been living in my car for three months when I got connected with AGAPE. They treated me like a person and really cared about what I had been through. They were able to help me pay for a deposit on an apartment and that made all the difference. It’s been a year, and I am still living in that apartment, I’ve gotten a job and I’m actually optimistic about my future.”
- “It all happened at once. I got laid off, my car broke down and my husband got sick. We had a small safety net built up, but we burned through that so fast. I felt absolute panic when I received the disconnect notice from the electric company. AGAPE was able to help us pay for our electric bill, which kept my husband’s oxygen machine running. We were able to dig out of the hole, but I don’t know what we would have done if AGAPE hadn’t been there to help.”
AGAPE has food pantries, financial assistance, housing assistance, special holiday programs, and much more that inspires these types of testimonials.
Their unique approach to helping people is why so many local neighbors have hope. With AGAPE, they know they have an organization to lean on during difficult times.
AGAPE’s incredible efforts to help people like this are powered by UWGSL’s funding that provides vital services to help individuals and families.
More than $997,000 has been invested in nonprofits in support of emerging needs through UWGSL’s Targeted Funding Pool that focuses on community safety, food security, financial mobility, and more. Through UWGSL initiatives, we’ve helped over 193,000 households identify needs and gain access to crucial services and resources.
Bernth said UWGSL’s funding and support is the backbone of AGAPE’s impact in the community.
“United Way’s support is critical to our success and our continued ability to provide these programs and services that our community counts on so much,” said Bernth. “United Way’s funding is not designated for a specific program; it can be used in areas where we need it most and that makes it uniquely valuable to us because it allows us to use that funding to fill gaps that we have.”
UWGSL kicked off its community campaign last month and we hope to garner as much support as we can considering recent federal funding cuts to local nonprofits and the various range of challenges facing our region.
Organizations like AGAPE has so many people depending on them for their next meal, a roof over their head, childcare support, and more. It will take all of us working together, donating, and being involved to spark real lasting change. Bernth said support for UWGSL’s campaign will benefit AGAPE and the greater good of the bi-state region.
“When somebody donates to United Way – and through that, their partner agencies – they are helping to build the kind of communities that we all want to live in,” said Bernth. “There is no better time than this year to come together and rally around the idea of creating the kind of community in which everybody has an opportunity to be safe, stable and supported.”
Take action now:
- Learn more and make a donation to UWGSL’s community campaign.
- See a full list of the 160 local nonprofit partners that your dollars are helping us support.
- Share this story with family and friends.
