Five & Two Food Truck Serves Love by the Plateful

Volunteers at the Arlington Heights UMC Five & Two food truck ministry deliver meals and hope to Fort Worth neighbors

Throughout October, we invite you to explore how The United Methodist Church is observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month and working to prevent harm and care for those who have experienced hurt within the church. These stories reflect our ongoing commitment to healing, accountability and the grace-filled work of justice and restoration. Learn more and read the Apology from The UMC to victims/survivors of sexual misconduct at www.resourceumc.org

For more than 10 years, the Five & Two food truck ministry at Arlington Heights UMC has turned loaves and fishes into thousands of meals for people in need across the city.

The ministry began as the idea of former associate minister and trained chef Rev. Alan Lutes. With the help of a small church fundraiser and a member skilled in grant writing, the congregation bought a converted plumbing truck and hit the road to serve meals.

“From the start, our focus was simple—take food to people who need it and serve with love,” said layperson and volunteer coordinator Susan Bleil.

In its early years, the truck visited two local shelters each month: the Presbyterian Night Shelter’s Women & Children’s Shelter and their Patriot House for veterans. Over time, the ministry expanded to serve the DRC (formerly the Day Resource Center) and select senior living facilities.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down in-person gatherings, the team refused to stop feeding their neighbors. Instead, they began serving SafeHaven, now known as The Archway, Tarrant County’s only comprehensive domestic violence service provider.

“We said, ‘We’re not going to quit feeding people. If anything, people need more help during [the pandemic], not less,’” Bleil said.

Since 2020, the Five & Two team has delivered a freshly prepared meal every Monday to about 70 residents at The Archway. Meals are made in the church’s commercial kitchen, licensed for food preparation, and dropped off at the shelter.

“We don’t miss a Monday — Christmas, New Year’s, we’re there,” Bleil said. “The kids love fresh fruit, and the staff often tell us, ‘Our kids love your mac and cheese more than anything.’”

In all, the ministry now provides about 1,000 meals each month. Volunteers cook homemade, balanced meals—often with a personal touch.

“On Mother’s Day, we were able to personally serve the mothers,” Bleil said. “I made chicken and dumplings from my grandmother’s recipe. One mom came back for seconds and said, ‘When I eat that, I just taste love.’ That’s what this ministry is about.”

The Five & Two ministry is self-sustaining, supported entirely by donations and volunteers. Volunteer teams meet Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m. at Arlington Heights UMC to prepare food and pray for those they serve.

“Every time we deliver, we’re reminded that this food is more than nourishment—it’s dignity, it’s healing, it’s love made visible,” Bleil said.

To learn more about the Five & Two Food Truck Ministry, visit ahumcfw.org/five-two.