The members of the First Congregational Church of Wareham (UCC) collected more than 220 cans of soup on Sunday, Feb. 16, for families and students in need.

The soup will be donated to Damien’s Pantry and the STAGE Weekend Backpack project, which sends students in need home with backpacks full of easy-to-prepare food so they can come back on Monday well-rested and well-fed.

“There was a great sale on soup at Shaws,” said Pastor Virginia Child, “and we decided to see what we could do.”

The church, located at 11 Gibbs Ave., serves a free breakfast every Wednesday morning in Thacher Hall.

“We believe that God calls us to help the hungry,” Pastor Child added.  “It’s how we respond to God’s love in our lives. We collect food every Sunday, and someone is always bringing in something, but this time we made soup our focus, and, as you can see. . .  the response was fantastic!”