What we do?

MISSION STATEMENT: "Strengthen our community by providing opportunities to acquire the basic building blocks of life".

Our Mission & Ministry

Statement of Need:

Agape House addresses critical food insecurity in Eastern Oregon, where rising food costs, limited employment opportunities, and geographic isolation have contributed to 14.2% of households experiencing food insecurity and 9,600 households average seeking emergency food assistance annually. Many individuals served are working families, seniors and veterans on fixed incomes, single parents, and individuals experiencing homelessness who struggle to meet basic nutritional needs due to limited transportation, long distances between services, and a lack of alternative providers.

These rural barriers increase the risk of hunger, poor health outcomes, and long-term instability—particularly for children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Local emergency food systems remain under continued strain, making reliable and well-coordinated food distribution essential to community stability.

Agape House provides a trusted, accountable response through structured food distribution serving 200 households weekly & 800 households monthly, supported by intake and eligibility screening, accurate data tracking, and coordination with partner agencies. Services are delivered in compliance with food bank, audit, and grant requirements to ensure food safety, equitable access, and responsible stewardship of resources. Continued funding is essential to sustain and strengthen these services, ensuring immediate access to nutritious food while supporting long-term household stability and resilience in a rural region with limited alternatives.

Martha’s House of Hermiston addresses family and individual homelessness in rural Eastern Oregon, where rising housing costs, limited employment opportunities, and geographic isolation have increased household instability. Families experiencing homelessness must often choose between food, utilities, medical care, and housing, creating significant barriers to stability and negatively impacting children’s education, health, and well-being. Youth impacted by family incarceration face an elevated risk of continued poverty or justice-system involvement without stable housing and supportive intervention.

Martha’s House provides long-term transitional housing for homeless families with children and single women who are drug- and alcohol-free, allowing families to remain safely together while working toward self-sufficiency. The program serves approximately 18 families and 60 individuals annually, with an average length of stay of 6 months. Residents live in independent studio apartments and receive structured support including life skills training, mentorship, employment and housing assistance, parenting support, child care connections, and financial management education. Participants are required to save 30% of earned income, building a financial foundation for housing stability.

The program’s goal is to transition residents into stable, permanent housing within 3–6 months, with 81% of households exiting to permanent housing. Continued funding is essential to sustain these outcomes, prevent prolonged homelessness, and strengthen family stability in a rural community with limited housing options and supportive services.