When she moved to Lititz a few years ago, Ann Marie Edwards yearned to make connections.

"I wanted to find my people," she said. "I wanted to meet people in person."

Edwards had started a successful book club, and once she moved to Lancaster County from Montgomery County, she became the moderator for a Lititz community gifting Facebook page. Through those connections, she learned of a coffee klatch meeting in Parkesburg, so she reached out to the group's founder, Kathi Rendall, about starting a local coffee meetup.

"I'm a connector," Edwards said simply. "It's easy for me to talk to people and bring people together."

Koffee Konnect Lititz, Manheim, Ephrata met for the first time earlier this month at New Holland Coffee Co. in Lititz.

"Eight people showed up, including myself," Edwards said, noting she was pleased with the turnout. "People want to connect with other people, face-to-face, in person."

Edwards envisions Koffee Konnect as being an organic experience, with the group meeting at various places throughout the Lititz, Manheim and Ephrata areas on days and at times that suit various schedules.

"The biggest challenge I've faced with this has been finding a time that works for everyone," she said. "So, I don't want to have a set time and day. The idea is to just get people together to hang out or spend time together when they can." Edwards will propose a meeting date, time and place through the Facebook group page, and others are invited to do the same.

At a meetup, Edwards wears a name tag so people can identify her, and then she encourages participants to introduce themselves. Beyond that, it's an unstructured time to get to know new people.

Rendall recently commented on Edwards' group page for Koffee Konnect, and her words resonated with Edwards.

"She said, 'It is a revolution of human kindness, and it can't be stopped,'" Edwards shared. "There is so much value in human connection. A lot of us have friends on social media, but we don't feel a connection just chatting online with them. It's not enough. We're still lonely. This is an opportunity to establish real connections."

Edwards noted that response to her page has been positive, with multiple comments from people who are interested in participating in the group.

She hopes people will take that first step and come to a meetup, noting that the group is open to men and women of all ages.

"Many of us wonder, 'How are people supposed to meet each other?'" Edwards said. "This is an easy way. You just have to have the willingness to say you're lonely. The risk is minimal. You just have to put yourself out there. You don't have to have a big personality. You just have to be bold enough to walk in, look for the crazy lady wearing a name tag and when you find me, you'll feel welcome. You'll feel like you've found a friend."

Edwards has a meetup of Koffee Konnect planned for 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, at Fox Meadows Creamery, 2475 W. Main St., Ephrata. For more information on the group, including additional meetup dates, search for "Koffee Konnect Lititz, Manheim, Ephrata" on Facebook.