Agape, Warren County’s largest food pantry, has seen a surge in clients after COVID-19 shutdowns and layoffs caused financial crisis for many area families. But those same shutdowns have also sent the pantry into its own financial emergency.

Executive Director Michelle Bernth said Agape saw a huge increase in clients in mid-March, almost like the flip of a switch. On the last day of March, Agape provided food for around 90 families, and about 20 of them were first-time clients, Bernth said. Overall, it’s been about a 30-percent increase in services.

“People have lost a job, or their hours have been cut. We’re fielding calls every day from people who ... have never been in this position before,” Bernth said.

One mother who recently called Agape for the first time was distressed because she had never been in this situation before, but needed help to feed her family, Bernth said. When she was told she could come that day for a pickup, she burst into tears.

“It’s hard to ask for help,” Bernth said. “We try to be extremely welcoming. ... My first response is ‘It’s going to be OK. We will help you.’ ”

But these days, Agape needs some help of its own. The organization closed its Warrenton thrift store in March in response to COVID-19, cutting off its main source of daily operating funds. Multiple fundraising events have also been canceled or postponed.

Without those, Bernth said Agape has almost no income to pay for bills on its buildings or the professional staff who keep the pantry running. They also can’t bring in more than a few volunteers due to the virus.

To continue serving people in need, Bernth said some paid staff have accepted severe pay cuts and are donating their time. It’s working so far, but it’s hard to say how long they can sustain it.

“We’re trying to limp along until some (aid) comes through,” Bernth said.

Each day, a small team of people works to pre-load boxes for a steady flow of clients, who are asked to wait in their cars. People coming to the pantry range from young families to the elderly, along with vans serving other community agencies.

“I’m so grateful they’re still able to be open,” one client said while waiting for her groceries.

What the pantry needs most right now is monetary support, Bernth said. Agape is applying for grants and aid programs, but Bernth hopes members of the community who have some money to spare will consider adding their support.

Agape has been raising a small amount of money by auctioning items through Facebook (facebook.com/groups/AgapeBargainBoutique), and also has an eBay store, Bernth said.

Supporters can also mail a check to Agape, 713 Powell St., Warrenton, MO 63383, or the Agape website has an online donation feature at www.agapemo.org.

Bernth said some supporters have used Facebook to run their own fundraisers for the pantry, as well.

“People are really looking to us to provide a safety net for them. It’s a good reinforcement of the value of the work that we do,” Bernth said.

Longtime Agape board member Elaine Auch said she’s proud of the work staff have been doing in such challenging circumstances.

“We can’t help it that this happened ... it’s definitely (still) a need in the community,” Auch said. “Staff are working like crazy, and they are putting themselves on the line, and they’re still doing it.”