Warrenton’s annual contribution to Agape will increase for the second consecutive year.Aldermen agreed to raise the amount to $20,000. In the past year, the city’s contribution was $18,000 after being $14,000 for several years.All six aldermen voted in favor of the bump at the April 19 meeting. The $20,000 contribution will be part of the city’s 2016-17 budget, which goes into effect July 1.Agape, headquartered in Warrenton, provides a number of services to low-income individuals and families.The increase was recommended by Ward 1 Alderman Karen Casserly after the board initially voted to renew the service contract at $18,000. She told other board members that the additional funds could come from from the approximate $80,000 saved by changing health insurance providers, a decision reached at the same meeting.“We could put it toward the health and wellness of our community,” she commented.Ward 2 Alderman Gary Auch, whose wife is a member of Agape’s Board of Directors, agreed the $2,000 added to the contribution would be well served.“It would make sense to me to do that,” he said.“Michelle (Bernth, Agape executive director) was kind of modest about how many people are coming into the community homeless, how many people are actually living on parking lots with children and don’t have any place to go.“It is really a regular occurrence I just don’t know if the public is aware of that,” he added. “This is something we are starting to see in our community.”Agape serves 418 individuals and 328 families per month who are considered Warrenton residents, which accounts for 50 percent of its clients, according to Bernth. A total of 229 families were added during the service period.The total amount Agape spent on city residents was $544,781, with $108 spent per person, Bernth reported.In the past year, Agape consolidated its two food pantries into one location in Warrenton and switched to a client-choice model where clients shop for food much like they would at a grocery store.“It really increases the dignity afforded to our clients and reduces food waste and expenses for us,” Bernth noted. “We have had tremendously positive feedback from our clients and our volunteers. It has been really well received.Also at the April 19 meeting, the board voted unanimously to provide a letter for support accompanying Agape’s application for Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits. The funding will allow the agency to move forward with the SAFE program, which is designed to help families on the brink of homelessness, according to Bernth.Agape’s food pantry and headquarters is located at 713 Powell St. It also operates the Hometown Thrift Store at 1039 Armory Road.The agency was founded in 1996 and is funded through a combination of private donations, public grants and proceeds from the thrift store.Agape