By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWarrenton aldermen have agreed to increase the city’s annual contribution to Agape by $4,000.All six aldermen voted in favor of renewing the annual service contract with the increase during the March 17 board meeting. Agape provides services to low-income individuals and families.In the past year, Warrenton’s contribution was $14,000, which equaled 4 percent of Agape’s budget to provide food to clients residing in the city.The $18,000 contribution will be part of the city’s 2015-2016 budget, which goes into effect July 1.Michelle Bernth, Agape executive director, told city officials the agency served 5,706 Warrenton residents, which accounted for 46 percent of its clients. Of the 2,201 families assisted, almost 500 were added during the service period.The total amount Agape spent on city residents was $357,348, or $62 spent per person, Bernth reported.“The service Agape provides continues to be extremely needed here in this community,” she said.Agape’s headquarters are in Warrenton where a food pantry is located at 713 Powell St. It also operates the Hometown Thrift Store in Warrenton at 1039 Armory Road. A second food pantry is in Wright City, located in the basement of SunRise United Methodist Church on Bell Road.Founded 18 years ago, Agape is funded through a combination of private donations, public grants and proceeds from the thrift shop.Ward 2 Alderman Gary Auch, who asked the board to consider increasing the contribution, told a story about a recent phone call his wife received from an Agape client who was concerned about not having enough food for her children over spring break. Auch’s wife is a member of Agape’s Board of Directors.“I think it’s a critical thing we as a board continue to support,” Auch said. “I think it’s an invaluable service.”During discussions about renewing the annual service contract, aldermen said they would like to see the county and other municipalities in the county enter into a service contract with Agape.“It’s a huge disappointment that those other communities are not participating,” Ward 1 Alderman Karen Casserly said.In November, Bernth approached Wright City about entering into a service contract in the amount of $6,000 to assist with expenses related to helping residents. The city decided to not allocate funding due to budget constraints and after hearing from the public who opposed the proposal.Bernth said she plans on approaching other cities and the county.Agape