Michael Doyle loved Thanksgiving Day and all the food, family and fun that came with it each year.
“It was his favorite meal — turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and football,” said his daughter, Shannon Doyle.
Since his passing in 2011, Shannon and her sister, Danielle Doyle, have tried to find creative ways to enjoy the holiday their dad loved most.
This year, the sister duo, collectively known as the “Soup Sisters,” are going to spend their Thanksgiving providing free turkey dinners to needy people and families living in and around Niagara Falls.
“It’s just to give back,” Shannon said. “We have things to be thankful for. We don’t have a whole lot, but there are a lot of people who don’t have things to be thankful for so if we can help, we’ll help.”
As their name implies, the “Soup Sisters” have become known locally for making a wide variety of homemade soups, ranging from the more traditional varieties like Italian wedding and beans and greens to more exotic recipes created by Danielle who has made Reuben soup, beef on weck soup and turkey dumpling soup in the past.
Both “Soup Sisters” agree that their signature stuffed pepper soup is their most sought-after and best-selling item. The sisters sell their soups at Wilbur’s on Cayuga Drive, where Shannon works as a bartender and where the sisters are in charge of the kitchen.
Shannon and Daneille learned their way around the kitchen and drew cooking inspiration from their mother, Therese Kashishian, a long-time chef at Mr. B’s restaurant on Hyde Park Boulevard.
“We’ve been cooking pretty much our whole lives,” Danielle said. “We’ve been surrounded by family that cooks.”
It was Shannon who, one day out of the blue, came up with the “Soup Sisters” name.
“It was always something that she loved that I made,” Danielle said. “Whenever I’d throw a soup together, she was always the first one at the pot.”
“It’s definitely made our relationship closer,” she added. “We were already close but now it’s being more creative with each other. Food in general brings people together.”
As Thanksgiving approaches, “The Soup Sisters” are preparing to serve and deliver free traditional turkey dinners to individuals in need during the Thursday holiday.
As of Friday afternoon, the Doyle sisters had received orders for 122 dinners. Most of them came from people and families in Niagara Falls although a few have come from outside the city, including North Tonawanda and Buffalo. Both sisters said many of the people who have placed orders told them that they are struggling financially, lack adequate transportation or can’t leave their homes.
“It’s overwhelming. The stories that we are getting from the families that we are donating to are heartbreaking,” Danielle said.
The sisters are not only making the turkey dinners but will deliver them to households on Thanksgiving day as well. In addition, on Thanksgiving, Wilbur’s will be offering turkey dinner with traditional side dishes for people who come into the bar that night.
This is not the Soup Sisters’ first attempt at spreading some holiday cheer through cooking. Last Christmas, the pair provided free meals to the needy in the area as well.
Both sisters said they want to make the holidays special for people who may be struggling or, like them, have experienced loss or other challenges.
The Doyle sisters’ dad, Michael, passed away on Thanksgiving day. Danielle said she also lost her fiancee and that their mother, Therese, was recently diagnosed with dementia.
“With the loss of family members and close friends, holidays have just been very difficult for us,” Danielle said. “To do this is a way to make us feel better, that we’re helping other families get together when we don’t do so much of that ourselves anymore.”
Both sisters agree one of the best parts of the experience has been the reception from the community.
A lot of people — some friends and many strangers — have stepped forward to assist, either through monetary gifts or food donations or, in some instances, both.
“It’s an overwhelming amount of support,” Shannon said.
“We’ve received so many donations,” Danielle added. “People that we don’t know. People that we do know as well. Family. Friends. Customers. We’ve had an overwhelming amount of just good responses and people thanking us for doing this.”
“The Soup Sisters” are still welcoming delivery orders for Thanksgiving dinners, however, all orders must be placed by midnight Monday. To place an order, call Wilbur’s at 716-236-7494.
The sisters sell soup “cash-and-carry” style by the pint or quart during regular business hours at Wilbur’s. Customers can also enjoy some soup simply by stopping into the restaurant located at 504 Cayuga Drive, Niagara Falls.
To learn more about the “Soup Sisters and for information about what soups they have on the menu, visit or follow their Facebook page.