Ann Marie Heidgerd of E-Meal Ministry at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Souderton. (Credit: Emmanuel Lutheran Church)
Program has provided more than 700,00 meals since 2020 and is run by 50 regular volunteers of 167 total volunteers.
One in a series of interviews with North Penn area local leaders working to help food-insecure neighbors and those experiencing homelessness. Meet Ann Marie and Rev. John Heidgerd of E-Meal Ministry at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Souderton.
Would you briefly explain what is most satisfying in your work with the E-Meal Ministry?
Ann Marie: Giving back to others is fulfilling, but seeing the relief on people’s faces is priceless. Our program began on March 16th, 2020, and has been running through COVID, providing over 700,000 meals to date to the community. As demand grows, so does our operation. We are entirely run by volunteers and funded by donations, with 50 regular volunteers of 167 total volunteers.
We operate 6 days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering drive-through “Family Boxes” that provide 12-20 meals per box. We serve an average of 250 families weekly, distributing about 600 boxes, along with 4,000-5,000 individual bagged lunches for those on foot, bike, or car. The lunches include a high-calorie sandwich, water, fruit, and a dessert snack.
We follow a “No Questions Asked” policy and welcome anyone needing help, providing bilingual materials if needed (approx. ⅓ of our population are native Spanish speakers). Our program helps stabilize the community, supporting people who may rent or own a home but struggle to make ends meet. They might forgo buying medication or paying a bill to eat or feed their family. Without our help, many could end up on the streets.]
What are some roadblocks?
A: The need is growing, so we must expand our operation. We have seen a 17% increase in demand compared to last year. This means we need more food donations, more sorting, preparing boxes and bagged lunches, and more storing of food. We have large refrigerators and plenty of storage space to manage. We provide 80% of our food to Montgomery County residents and 20% to Bucks County. Some people come daily.
Who are the programs or organizations you consider to be partners?
A: We partner with many organizations, individuals, and corporate sponsors, and are very grateful for their generosity. Blessings of Hope in Lancaster gives us surplus organic food, Leidy’s provides meats, Alderfer’s donates eggs. The Garden of Health Food Bank in North Wales provides vegetables and staples. Mitzvah Circle provides a supply of diapers for young families. We also receive generous support from Wawa, Affinity Foods, Salford Advent Garden, Branch Creek Taphouse, Third Friday, Broad Street Pizza, Souderton-Telford Rotary and other local businesses.
Tell us three ways a community member can help you reach your goals.
Volunteer! Contact Ann Marie 215-723-7514.
Make sandwiches or donate food, especially water, canned soup, oatmeal, pasta, rice, pasta sauce, canned tuna, breakfast cereal, canned veggies, ramen noodles, gluten-free items.
Show kindness and acceptance of others in your community.
How can volunteers help year-round?
John: We can always use extra help. There are many different tasks to keep things running smoothly in an operation of this size, and we appreciate and make beneficial use of all private donations.
Have you seen growth from the volunteers?
A: Volunteers thrive on the satisfaction and appreciation they receive. By working closely as a team, they contribute to the success of our program and enhance the quality of life in our community.
Do you have a particular success story to share?
J: Our biggest success story is that we’ve made our community aware of poverty in our own neighborhood. Our ministry provides free meals to anyone in need without judgment, aiming to respect everyone’s dignity. Rising hunger is a bigger social issue tied to the need for more affordable housing; it’s a systemic problem. Our government must understand that housing is crucial for community stability and that equitable living requires better planning and education.
Do you get any pushback? How do you counter it?
J: Occasionally people’s attitudes can be a challenge, but we have a supportive, open-hearted team working to build a strong community. Most people understand the value of our work and want us to succeed. Another challenge is funding such a large operation. We rely on donations and grants, so keeping a steady cash flow is essential. We have applied for and received a grant from the Anti-Hunger Network.
How does your program benefit the community, even those who do not need the service?
J: Our program brings joy by giving hope and stability to those in need, which is rewarding for all involved. It demonstrates how helping each other makes our community stronger and safer, and our police recognize the positive impact it has on everyone’s safety. We are lucky to have a community that steps up to ensure everyone gets a meal. Our dedicated volunteers always lend a hand when needed.
Submitted by North Penn Advocates, a group of local people who want to educate the North Penn Community on chronic issues of hunger, homelessness, and housing, and advocate for tangible solutions. Questions/comments: Send an email to [email protected]. Visit our North Penn Advocates Facebook page. For more information go to: www.elcsouderton.org or call: 215-723-7514 (Ann Marie)
