James Stefanakos measures the success of his chocolate business by a different standard.
“People ask me how many chocolate bars I’ve sold,” said Stefanakos, who started Agape Chocolate in 2015. “I don’t know how many I’ve sold.”
He might not know how much chocolate he’s sold, but he does know how many children have been fed through the proceeds he’s donated to food banks– more than 50,000.
A former chemical engineer, Stefanakos will never forget the day he had lunch at school with his daughter, Maia. Now 14, she was a second grader at the time.
He recalled watching as another little girl glanced around before taking an extra package of apple slices, then another child gave the little girl hers. He later asked the teacher, who told him the child only got food when she came to school.
The father of three said the experience broke his heart, and he knew he had to do something. He decided to combine his faith, his love of chocolate and his desire to help others into creating Agape Chocolate.
The name of his business represents his faith in action.
The descendant of Greek immigrants, he went to the Greek language to choose the business name. He wanted to honor his heritage and his faith. In Greek, agape means a sacrificial love, like the love God showed the world.
“In the Bible, God’s love is always agape,” he said.
He donates 15% of his profits to food bank programs serving children. Stefanakos’ shop is in Graniteville, S.C., but his bars are sold in multiple shops around the area, including the Book Tavern, Buona Caffe, Good Earth and Ladybugs Flowers and Gifts. They are available online through Augusta Locally Grown. In the Augusta area, the Golden Harvest Food Bank’s BackPack Program is the beneficiary.
He also sells bars in other parts of South Carolina. He bases his donations off the geographical area where the bars are sold, so multiple food banks benefit.
When possible, Stefanakos uses locally-sourced ingredients to make the bars. Some spices and obviously, the cacao aren’t available in the area, but he’s created flavors based on products he can purchase close to home. Honey, pecans, butter, coffee and lavender come from area growers or shops.
He also pays homage to his three children, who each have bars named after them. He used their artwork for the labels.
Maian My Own Business is named for his oldest daughter, Maia. It’s spicy and sweet and describes her teenage phase, he said. The Xanderrific is named for Xander, who is 11. It incorporates honey into dark chocolate. And the PheBe & H is for his youngest daughter, whose favorite sandwich is peanut butter, honey and cinnamon. Those flavors make up that bar.
Stefanakos said he loves what he does, but he admits there are days when the monotony can creep in. What keeps him going are the stories people have told him about how his giving has impacted their lives.
He met a woman who left her husband because he was addicted to meth. She told Stefanakos that if it wasn’t for the Golden Harvest Food Bank’s BackPack Program, she wouldn’t be able to feed her children over the weekend.
According to the food bank’s website, one in five children in the Augusta area only eat when they are at school. They may have nothing on the holidays or weekends. The BackPack Program provides healthy foods and snacks for the weekend.
All bars are $6 through his website agapechocolates.com. His business is located at 50 Canal St., Suite 8, Graniteville. The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p. m. Monday through Friday, but he encourages people to call (803) 716-8353 first. Sometimes, he’s out on a delivery, or he might close up to take in his son’s baseball game.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
