By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorThe launch of Agape’s Operation Orange Bag program was so successful it took two extra orders to supply enough bags for volunteers.The purchases were made possible from the award of a $2,500 grant through First State Community Bank’s Community KickStart program contest.Agape was the top vote-getter out of four local nonprofit groups that competed against each other to win the top prize. The organization provides services to low-income individuals and families. It is funded through private donations, public grants and proceeds from the thrift store.“The program will continue to go and bring in food for us,” Agape Executive Director Michelle Bernth said. “The funding we received was instrumental in getting the program off the ground.”The grand funds were used to cover the initial start-up costs for the new Agape program, which is designed to provide food donations on a more regular basis. Volunteers keep an orange bag in their house and place at least one donated item in the bag each week. Every two months, the orange bags are collected by a designated volunteer captain.Bernth said the program has been averaging over 200 pounds of donated food each month.“Historically one of the issues is we don’t know when food is going to come in,” Bernth said. “It can be very challenging to plan if our shelves become low. It gives us good visibility on when we can expect food to come in.”Ten local nonprofit organizations will now have the opportunity to compete for the top prize in this year’s Community KickStart contest.Voting began this week and will continue through Oct. 31.This year’s finalists are:• God Cares Ministry;• Strong Tower Ranch;• Warren County Senior Center;• Boy Scouts;• Emmaus Homes;• Youth In Need-Head Start;• Tribute to Veterans Memorial;• Warren County Handicap Services, Inc.;• Warren County Ambulance Explorers program;• Relay For Life of Warren County;The public can vote at either of the First State Community Bank branches in Warrenton, 1022 North Highway 47, or Wright City, 20 Wildcat Drive. Votes can also be cast daily on the Warren County Record website (www.warrencountyrecord.com).The top four finalists will be announced Nov. 5 with the winner selected Nov. 12.First State Community Bank is excited to help another local nonprofit organization for the contest’s second year.“As an organization, First State Community Bank prides itself on making a difference,” said Luke Roussin, assistant vice president-marketing director. “That’s what we hope to do with KickStart. Anyone can give a donation, but we want to do more than give money. We want to positively impact local service organizations — and the Warren County community — in a real way. KickStart allows us to accomplish our goal by partnering with others.”KickStart