Agape Store a big help to soldiers in Afghanistan

SHARANA, Afghanistan - The Agape Store, originally known as the Free-X and started by CPT Everett “CheeZy” Zachary, has grown immensely in the one and half years it’s been in business.

Zachary deployed to Sharana, Afghanistan out of Fort Hood, Texas during 2008-2009. During his deployment he noticed several care packages going to waste when the soldiers would throw out the unused or unwanted items.

He came up with the idea of the Free-X, which would allow soldiers to bring their unused care package items to his office to be displayed for other soldiers to choose from. The price? Free! It started on one shelf in his office, and eventually grew into a store.

When the 877^th Engineering Combat Battalion Ministry Team consisting of CPT Mitch Nethery from Sulligent, Ala. who is minister and SPC Miles Anderson from Chipley, who works with the Florida Department of Corrections arrived, the Free-X was inherited.

Although soldiers continued to donate their unused items it was soon seen that donations from service members was not enough to satisfy the demand. The chaplain and his assistant went to work contacting churches, organizations and others back home to help fulfill the need of the soldiers.

What started out as receiving maybe two packages a week when the store was first handled by the 877^th Ministry Team, soon turned into approximately eight packages daily, which continues to stay the average daily number. One day Anderson said that the Agape Store received 30 boxes.

New shelves have been put up to help ease the tight space, although they were soon full with more items. Every available amount of wall space is taken in some form to help display the goods that keep coming from home. Even the storage room has box upon box stacked waiting for open shelf room.

Two of the most common items are toothbrushes and toothpaste. “Our soldiers should have the cleanest teeth in the world.” Nethery joked. As for the most unusual items sent, a rainbow colored wig and massive blue colored sunglasses are on the top of that list. It never fails to make a soldier smile when they walk through the door and see Anderson greet them wearing those items.

Many conversations are started with, “I bet you don’t have ____” with the answer always being, “I bet we do!” Several times the question is asked, “How much do I owe you?” Nethery and Anderson reply that it is already paid for with the soldier’s service sent with love from home. Some of the biggest contributors to the Agape Store are the Pathways Church from Texas, Widows Might Ministry, Sulligent and Pine Spring Methodist, New Center Point of Sulligent, all from Alabama, Sally Loomis from Iowa, SoldiersAngels.org, the Department of Children and Families from Florida, First Baptist Church from Texas and of course the odds and ends that are sent from home to the soldiers here at the FOB.

With the battalion being spread out in 38 locations across Afghanistan the Ministry team stays very busy with their duties of counseling soldiers in need, conducting stress counseling, playing practical jokes and meeting the soldiers wherever they are physically, mentally and spiritually.

Due to the large amount of care packages the Agape Store receives they are able to put packages together for the members of the battalion at the other locations depending on what they need.

Even with the store in the middle of the 877^th Battalion’s office building; soldiers come from all over the FOB hearing about it through word of mouth. Even civilian contractors, local national interpreters and soldiers just passing through hear about the Agape Store and come in to take a look.

The Agape Store is even beginning to be known throughout theater. The Division Chaplain LTC Goff came by on his visit to Sharana and wanted to see the Agape Store for himself after hearing about it.

The store is continuing to grow and now there are plans of expanding the walls to add in a coffee and smoothie bar. Ready is an icemaker and coffee pot, although items like smoothie mix, a blender, coffee beans and flavors are needed to complete the plan. A bar and some stools are also in the plans.

A big need is “shower kits” consisting of travel-size lotion, shampoo, a razor, soap, body wash and hand sanitizer, like what you’d find in hotels. These items are put in a baggie for easy handout.

Nethery wants the store to have a calm repose and sweet haven rest feel to it. His goal is for Soldiers and other customers to walk in and feel like they are back in a general store in America.

As well as expanding the size of the store at FOB Sharana, there are plans in the works to bring ‘Agape Store Juniors’ to eight other locations where there are 877^th Engineering soldiers.

The Agape Store on Sharana would continue to receive the care packages and then ship out boxes to the other locations depending of their needs. Nethery said that although the store can have not enough, they can never have too much.

The Agape Store has proven to be an important asset to the 877^th Battalion while deployed. Soldiers enjoy walking in, looking at the new items on the shelves and starting conversations with the other individuals in the store.

Chaplain Mitch Nethery and SPC Miles Anderson have worked long hard hours to continue to keep the store running along with a few volunteer soldiers to help when needed. Feel free to contact Nethery at mitch.nethery@us.army.mil or mitchnethery@netzero.net and Anderson at miles.anderson@us.army.mil. They can also be contacted via mail at: Chaplain (CPT) Nethery or SPC Anderson, Chaplain Assistant at HSC 877^th EN BN, TF Builder, FOB Sharana, APO AE 09311.