Despite the existence of many community food banks, hunger is still an ongoing issue in Cocalico, Ephrata, and Lititz.
It was due to local hunger statistics that Pastor Matt Lenahan of Akron Zion Lutheran Church founded Peter’s Porch three years ago. Peter’s Porch is a hunger-relief partnership with several local congregations. This collaboration is open to anyone who wants to serve others and partner with us in this journey of well-being and wholeness in the local neighborhood.
Local partners in Peter’s Porch include: Faith United Lutheran, Lititz Mennonite Church, Hopeland United Methodist, Akron Grace EC Church, Akron Mennonite Church, Bimbo Bakery, Water Street Ministries, CAP, Central PA Food Bank, and all the local residents who donate clothing and time.
In order to bolster the stores of soup and other non-perishable food items that supply Peter’s Porch, Faith United Evangelical Lutheran Church will be hosting a “Souper Bowl” food drive at Weaver Markets, 2610 N. Reading Road Denver, on Feb. 5 and 6 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
At this Souper Bowl, the “big game” is hunger, says Pastor Joe Veres.
“There will be ‘Hunger Fact’ cards in the soup aisle meant to give local realities on hunger,” he said. “Statistics for Lancaster County, Cocalico School District, and our program will show the breadth of this need.”
In the past, Faith Lutheran has held the Souper Bowl inside their church. Veres hopes that by taking the event to a local grocery store, donations will multiply.
“We are aware that many of our neighbors are unaware of the scope of need,” Veres said. “As our Peter’s Porch grew, it has made us realize our neighbors have deep needs… hunger, care, and companionship that Peter’s Porch offers. We know our neighbors care. We are allowing them to learn how that care means a better future for those very close to us who need a bit of help.”
While canned soups are being accepted, other items are welcome too.
“We welcome soup, other food, monetary donations, and volunteers,” Veres said. “We find people who have attended one Peter’s Porch distribution walk away with a new understanding and commitment to battling hunger.”
The event was organized by Veres, Terry Burkholder, Tim Hegeman, and central planner Jim Kreider. Mike Weaver and Dina Burd at Weaver Markets are partners in this outreach effort.
Souper Bowl was designed to be educational, as well as charitable.
“We are using the Souper Bowl both to help the hungry by collecting food and educating the public,” said Veres. “There will be greeters at the doors to offer a welcome card explaining the request to support the Peter’s Porch food pantry operation and also having information on the program. This is to allow more outreach to families in need and allow our community to know about this resource to help those in need.”
Peter’s Porch hosts free monthly breakfasts to which the community are invited: Faith United Lutheran, Walnut Street., Denver, on the first Saturday of every month; and Lititz Mennonite Church, Front and Water Streets, Lititz, on the second Saturday of every month. Learn more about their efforts at zionakron.org/peters-porch.html.
For more information about the Souper Bowl, call 336-2141.
Members of the Cocalico High School football squad will be on hand on Feb. 5-6 at Weaver Markets to help with the collection of soup and
other canned meal items for the Faith United Evangelical Lutheran Church Souper Bowl. Pictured (left to right) are Brady Sawyer, Mason Strunk, Brady Maxwell, and Daniel Miklas. The canned items will benefit the Peter’s Porch food ministry. (Photo courtesy of Jim Kreider)
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