It began with a voice, a vision, and a chance encounter.
Sheila Moore and Anne Reinert both began attending Lampeter UMC in November 2023. The previous spring they had donated a ham to support the food pantry and expressed interest in helping with the monthly community meals and started connecting with leaders in that ministry.
That fall, Anne felt a stirring in her spirit—a voice that kept saying to her, “Feed the hungry. Feed the hungry. Feed the hungry.”
By chance, they decided to attend LUMC’s monthly pub theology event. It was the first time either of them had attended.
They began chatting, and the seeds of a new ministry started to take root.
They began handing out meals once a month at New Creation UMC in Lancaster. They brought 50 meals, which were gone in less than 15 minutes. They realized that the need was great, so they expanded the circle of care.
They started serving meals at the Lancaster City Housing Authority’s Church Street Towers and Farnum Street Towers.
Then they heard that the Lancaster Neighborhood Senior Center was at risk of closing because attendance hadn’t rebounded after COVID. The Soup Angels swept in and committed to bringing a meal once a month. Thirty-five to forty people now stop by the senior center when there’s a meal. That spike in attendance increased the participation rate that the center reports each month, saving it from closure.
Soup Angels also provide meals for LUMINA’s Kids Club, cooking for three of the four Monday meetings one month during the school year and cooking for the summer VBS program. LUMINA’s Kids Club, based in Lancaster City, works with children from all backgrounds. They talk about a Jesus story, do crafts, and eat together.
“We’ve just expanded wherever there is a need to do,” Sheila shared proudly. Soup Angels hasn’t just expanded the circle of care for people who are hungry—they have also provided soup for those who are sick within the church family.
“If people are sick, they’ll call us. We’ll make soup and take it to their house. If you don’t feel good, you can call and we’ll deliver soup,” shared Anne Reinert.
The social support matters just as much—if not more—than the food.
On one visit to the Lancaster City Housing Authority, two volunteers went door to door to greet residents. They met a woman who had been struggling for some time. The volunteers offered her a meal and spent time with her. They continue to visit every time they stop by. She’s no longer depressed and is now thriving within the community.
More than 50 volunteers support the ministry in various ways. Some make soup at home because they work during the day. Others knit hats, gloves, and prayer squares for the Soup Angels to distribute. Still others bake cookies.
They also partner with outside organizations to meet the needs. Wegmans provides a large donation every Sunday, some of which goes to Soup Angels or to Lampeter UMC’s Blessings Pantry or community meal. Inside Track donates sneakers, which Soup Angels then distribute to the community.
As they share what God has blessed them with, they’ve truly become angels, God’s messengers of grace. One day, when Soup Angels were distributing sneakers from Inside Track, a gentleman took Sheila aside and said, “Hey, look at this.” His shoes had just a few pieces of leather left on the bottom, barely holding the shoes together. Through the ministry of Soup Angels, God provided and then a gentleman received a brand-new pair of sneakers.
The impact of Soup Angels goes far beyond a warm bowl of soup. It’s about presence, compassion, and creating a community where no one is forgotten. What began as a small act of generosity has grown into a movement of love in action—led by everyday people who listened to a quiet voice and followed where it led. As the need continues, so does the call. And the Soup Angels keep showing up, one meal, one visit, and one heart at a time.