Taking a meal to another family is easier than we think. Even for working women, it’s easy to help another family out when there is a death, crisis, new baby, or surgery – or whatever the need may be.
If you have the mindset of cooking double, your family’s evening meal can be made at the same time!
But when you are in a hurry, there are quick and healthy options at the grocery store. This past week when my friend had surgery, Costco saved me! My favorite is to take ingredients to make a big chicken salad, along with bread to bake in the oven.
Always leave a note with instructions, in case the kids or whoever is helping with meals in the home:
1. How to bake the bread (temp and time)
2. How to make the salad
3. How to cook the corn
4. And then how to ENJOY the brownies
When’s the last time you took a meal to a family in need, and what did you take?
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. 
This is such a wonderful idea! It’s often easy to get into the routine of feeding people in our home, while forgetting those who can’t make it out of theirs.
Emily´s last [type] ..The Attack of the Refrigerator
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It’s been over a year since I took a meal to a church member/neighbor who was going through chemo and her family. My go-to meal was a ham steak, homemade mac and cheese, fresh green beans drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with garlic salt, salt and pepper, and oatmeal raisin cookies. Her favorite? The green beans! She even asked for the recipe.
Cindy in PA´s last [type] ..One Thousand Gifts (262-274)
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The last meal we provided was to my ex-husband and his wife for the arrival of their new baby from the hospital (families carry a new definition these days!). We just doubled the recipe for our spaghetti sauce, took over a box of noodles, some pre-made salad in the bag, and some frozen garlic bread to shove in the oven.
The other one i have done is a chicken, rice and broccoli bake because they can freeze it for later.
sheri´s last [type] ..Hot and Cold
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Taking my cue from you, Sandy, I contacted a neighbor I don’t know very well, who just had a baby and offered to bring them a meal, just last week. I was thrilled when she agreed
My husband plays baseball with a gentleman whose wife was shattered her wrist in a car accident, so we made a double batch for both those families.
Lasagne is usually my go-to meal to take. That, along with a salad, bread and a bottle of wine (I completely forgot to bring a dessert–oops!).
It feel so good to show Christ’s love through this simple gesture, and it’s a great way to make new friends. Speaking from experience from when my twins were born, it means so very much when meals are provided, it just makes things easier to have one less thing to worry about.
Julia´s last [type] ..On Unplugging, Balance and that "M" Word
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I love that you’re bringing me dinner!!!
Ohhhhh, wait.
Bev Weidner´s last [type] ..Spicy Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas
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I’ve been having talks with myself lately about not just intending to do this but actually doing it more often! Someone always needs a meal and it means so much to help out. My hang up has been feeling that it has to be presented cutely, completely made, and perfect. I’m going to try really hard to take my cue from you.
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I definitely think it’s okay to include a Costco rotisserie chicken in the dinner for your friends, but to not bake the bread? To not put cooked veggies in a dish? I think that’s cutting corners too much. Most people have frozen veggies in their freezer to pull out and heat up. The whole point of taking a meal to someone is to have the dinner cooked and ready for their family to enjoy!
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Sandy Reply:
July 13th, 2011 at 7:57 am
Hi, Elle. It’s not about being critical, but blessing another family. I did include a vegetable (salad) and I like for the family to bake the bread because it’s on their schedule and comes out of the oven nice and warm.
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Laura Reply:
July 13th, 2011 at 10:53 am
To bring cooked veggies in a dish any distance only increases the likelihood that those veggies will be an overcooked mess by the time they get there. I never precook veggies.
For me, the point is to bless another family whether it’s already fully cooked or not. I see nothing wrong with minimal preparation. I tend to go all out when I bring dinners because I enjoy it, but since I have to drive up to 30 minutes (or more in rush hour) to deliver meals, for food safety sake I often bring something earlier in the day so they can reheat at their convenience – and so my family can eat at a reasonable time. I’ve never gotten a complaint that the dinner isn’t cooked and ready for their family to enjoy upon delivery … people tend to contact me after to comliment me on the meal. If nothing else, one can appreciate the thought and expense that went into it.
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Elle Reply:
July 14th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Okay Sandy, I stand corrected. And I honestly wasn’t trying to be critical or mean-spirited, so I’m sorry if it came across that way. I can take a meal to anyone in my town in about 5 minutes, so there aren’t any food safety concerns. Plus, I always call ahead to see what time that specific family eats dinner, so that I bring it on their schedule (not mine). So, to me, I like to go all-out with a fully-cooked meal. But, at the end of the day, you’re right…families are simply blessed to have one less meal to prepare in a time of need.
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What a great post! This has great information and tips. Good work girl!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.´s last [type] ..Evo Conference: Learning, Sharing and Being Inspired
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I really enjoy taking meals to other families. My go-to meal is usually Southwest Chicken Salad (it varies, but it usually includes romaine with tomatoes, cukes, black beans, corn, rotisserie chicken, cheese and pine-nuts) with Spicy Ranch Dressing along with tortilla chips on the side and a great dessert. I have been guilty in the past of planning the desserts long before considering what would be served for dinner!
Barefeet In The Kitchen´s last [type] ..Slow Cooked Banana Walnut Oatmeal
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I think you’ve mentioned this before, but I’m glad you did another post on taking a meal over to someone in need.
It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but now I’ll make more of an effort. One of my friends will be “widowed” in a week or so when her boyfriend leaves for a volunteer trip to Costa Rica. I know she’ll be super lonely so I was planning on visiting a bit more, but taking a meal over will definitely help out too.
Thank you!
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I just took dinner to some friends after she gave birth! I made Pioneer Woman’s mondo sliders, baked sweet potato wedges, and for dessert, I grilled pineapple and served it with ice cream. They all loved it…especially the big brother. : )
Through all this, I was introduced to a website called Food Tidings. You can set up a delivery period, email to friends and loved ones and allow them to sign up online. It even sends email reminders and gives food allergies, etc. Pretty dang cool!
the BLAH BLAH BLAHger´s last [type] ..35 BY 35: #5
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I haven’t done this since we’ve lived in Kyiv- all expectant mothers and serious surgeries are medivac’d out of the country. It’s such a blessing to do it, and I appreciated being on the receiving end, too! {sweet corn on the cob…I can almost taste it!!!}
Tara G. @ Mrs. Yellow Hat´s last [type] ..Bunny Brains
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Families really do have a new definition, don’t they? It warms my heart to see families continue to be families, even after divorce.
Shari´s last [type] ..Crazy Little Thing Called (Military) Life
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I took a couple dinners to my husband’s coworker a few weeks ago after his wife had their first baby. The first time I brought provencial lamb and arugula salad with lemon viniagrette from one of my Barefoot Contessa cookbooks along with ciabatta from a local bakery and cookies for dessert. The next time I brought baked chicken taquitos (with roasted salsa verde, sour cream and a quick guac) and a black bean tomato salad from a food blog I read frequently – and overnight cinnamon rolls with fresh berries for the next morning.
I loooove bringing meals to people, and often I get forwarded invitations to bring meals for friends of friends who I don’t know, so I get to meet someone new in the process. My family loves it, too, because they know they’ll get dessert that night!
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great points, sandy!!
i took a meal last week to a dear friend who just had a baby … i brought all the fixin’s for TACO’s, and it was SUPER easy. i ground beef and seasoned it (lots of cumin, onion powder, chili powder, salt and pepper); cooked a big batch of brown rice in the rice cooker; had a big pot of pinto beans i’d cooked earlier in the week for our family. i put each of these 3 things in separate rubbermaid containers. then i bought a carton of sour cream and salsa; a bag of grated cheese and a bag of tortilla chips, and a bag of soft corn tortillas. i also put a large pineapple in the box.
my friend said they ended up making nachos w/the food and loved it! super simple.
( i got my inspiration for this from one of the meals brought to our family when i had josiah a few months ago … it was, hands down, our fave. and it gave lots of leftovers!)
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Jo Draven Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 10:05 am
Ok, I love this. I was planning to do a rotisserie chicken with salad & garlic bread as inspired by the post, but I think this “tacos n fixins” is super fun, totally indulgent and easy for the giver as well!
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Thank you for the simple tips to help someone in times they need encouragement and a meal delivered by a friend. Our daughter is going through something very difficult. A couple of days ago she listened to a voicemail left by a friend from a neighboring community. The message was: “If you don’t want dinner delivered to your door around 5:00 this evening – call me!” Dinner arrived promptly at 5 p.m. amid many hugs and giggles between the two friends. It meant the world to our daughter – and to us. It’s really a small thing to do to bless someone when things are a bit topsy-turvy!
Adrienne´s last [type] ..My Source Of Help
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Fabulous idea…I’m always looking for meal ideas like this. Thanks for the help.
Have a nice day.
teresa´s last [type] ..summer harvest- cottage garden.
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I brought the following to a church-member who’d had surgery:
Ham Steak
Home-made Mac & Cheese
Home-made rolls
Green Beans
Pineapple Upside-down cake
such a fun thing to do!
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I take meals to others often. And my go-to is Chicken Pot Pie. I love this option because it is meat, poataoes and veggies all in one pie. You can make it in a disposable pie tin so nothing needs be returned. I usually accompany it with pre-cut fresh fruit from the grocery store and homemade brownies on a disposable plate. You can take the pie uncooked and give baking directions so they can choose when to eat.
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Sandy, this is a wonderful post. And speaking as someone who was the recipient of many meals this spring, let me tell you–it makes a big difference! Not having to worry about dinner was a huge help to me during the time of Jack’s surgery and recovery. Thank you for the reminder that the dinner doesn’t have to be fancy to be VERY much appreciated.
Richella at Imparting Grace´s last [type] ..DIY Decorative Plate
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Sandy, thank you so much for this post. It seems as if there is always somebody in my community or church who I want to minister to in this way. Just this morning my co-teacher for the youth girls SS class had surgery. It’s just she and her husband at home now and how wonderful this would be for me to be able to bring him a basket like this with simple instructions and they can eat on their own schedule. Thanks so much!
Tracie B´s last [type] ..Another really great guy in MS.
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Loved this post and enjoyed reading thru the comments for ideas!
The last time we took dinner to a friend was to my hubby’s brother and his wife when their second child, our darlin’ niece was born. Sis’s friend set up an online calendar and that is *so* the way to go!
We took:
Grilled chicken breasts
Roasted potatoes and onions w/ rosemary
Green beans cooked in the pressure cooker (we southern belles enjoy our beans *done*!!
And, because it was so close to Valentine’s Day, I made heart shaped sugar cookies, iced and sprinkled with red sugar.
We took them another meal a month later (ok, so wanted to take another gander at our sweet niece and, yes, play with our nephew, too!).
The week didn’t go like I’d hoped so we just called ahead to order sub sandwiches and took them by with chips and cookies. It was actually bro and sis-in-law’s idea when we took the first meal that we do a small family gathering the next time. So, with their blessing, we took enough food over for Mama, Daddy, Nephew, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle and us, too.
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Love this!!!! (And love that I have been on the receiving end of one of your ‘save you’ meals!) Love you!!
Fiona´s last [type] ..Joy for Mourning
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Have you ever used http://www.takethemameal.com ? It’s a fabulous website we use ALL the time for church sign ups to bring meals to those in need. I have a once a month limit to bring a meal to a family and I also save disposable containers to take the meal to them! Such a great reminder!
Becky B.
http://www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
Becky@Organizing Made Fun´s last [type] ..How I organize: Email!
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I like taking Caesar salads using chi ken and romaine from Costco…but I just took lunch to a new momma. I made the sandwiches in advance for our family and took her a sandwich, peaches, lemonade and oatmeal cookies from the freezer. Easy peasy.
lisa´s last [type] ..Stork Bundles {Hot Basil Cheese Sandwiches}
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Have done this for years either on a whim or when a group email from our community meals coordinator arrives in my inbox. One dish meals like casseroles are great if it is just you providing a single meal. Having been on the receiving end of numerous meals during a crisis (thankfully), I would suggest a little more effort if possible (I’ve heard this feedback from others as well). We were so tickled when someone made a pot roast with all the trimmings for us, it was comfort food and a welcome break from stream of casseroles and “easy” meals. Any time we take a meal to someone in need it not only nourishes their hunger, but their soul as well.
Great post!
Judy´s last [type] ..Coffee Rub for Ribs: Test Kitchen Tuesday
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Sandy Reply:
July 14th, 2011 at 8:10 am
Thanks, Judy! I started a meals ministry in a very large church (big job! was happy to pass it on, ha!) and have been on the receiving end with 3 babies, 2 surgeries, my mom dying, and my husband’s parents dying. We were so thankful!
This post is offering an idea to the busy woman. I often heard from women who work that they didn’t have the time. So, in a sense they missed out on blessing another family.
I received an email back from this family that they LOVED the salad and it was perfect for a hot summer night.
I also knew they had a teen daughter who could get in there and help prepare what I brought.
I really believe that families are SO grateful for whatever they receive.
(BTW, Chicken Pot Pie is my “wintertime” meal that I bring to people.)
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I always take pulled pork (homemade), buns, chips, and slaw. I throw in paper plates too. That way people can eat individually or as a family. It is also easy to freeze just in case circumstances change or there is too much food. And I always take throwaway containers–a must!!!! Our daughter just had a baby and her friends have been fabulous! Love the “take a meal” websites for signing up too!
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I love your ‘easy’ method of sharing and uplifting a family!! Never have I thought that it would be okay to not bring everything table ready. This is sooo helpful when I’m too busy but believe I really should bless someone. My wheels are spinning with possibilities now.
Sandy…you’re the best!!
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I agree, families are grateful, they are so blessed to be thought of this way. You mentioned organizing meals for a large church, a ministry I have served in started using Care Calendar http://www.carecalendar.org/ to organize meals after we nearly wore out our meals coordinator–she loves her job now! It made a huge difference in making it easier for more people to get involved in providing a meal. Hope this resource helps. (BTW-Chicken Pot Pie is another comfort food so many love and appreciate, especially homemade
Love your heart for reaching out to people and serving.
Judy´s last [type] ..Coffee Rub for Ribs: Test Kitchen Tuesday
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Judy Reply:
July 14th, 2011 at 8:43 am
Ugh, this was supposed to be a rely to your reply, sorry.
Judy´s last [type] ..Coffee Rub for Ribs: Test Kitchen Tuesday
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Hi Sandy! Came back to this post to see the meal ideas that ladies shared. Must job some of these down for future reference.
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A couple of weeks ago our neighbors feeling very overwhelmed and stressed welcomed into their homes their 3rd and 4th grandchild, to be raised by them instead of their daughter who finds herself overtaken with drugs. They now are raising their 10 year old grandson, 3 year old granddaughter and now twin 8 month old granddaughter and grandson. Overwhelmed and struggling with many other issues I told them that dinner would be delivered to them that evening, to not worry about that need. So I prepared what has become my signature (and oh so easy) crockpot BBQ pork sandwiches, Claussins pickles, a salad, and desert. A quick text came back that evening with a thank you so much for the delicious dinner. This meal has now become her quick and easy go-to meal.
Then this past Sunday I brought dinner to our friends and their family who were spending their days in Hospice as they said goodbye to their 51 year young, father, husband, brother. Again, I filled my crockpot full of BBQ pork, filled the basket with the buns, chips, pickles, fresh veggies and dip and desert. The room full of family and other Hospice resident family members sat and filled their body and soul with a warm meal while they quietly chatted and shared. The next morning they quietly said goodbye to their amazing husband, father, brother. After the family members go back to their lives and the visits and calls become fewer, again I will fill my crockpot and basket and deliver another meal to fill their bodies and make a visit to fill their soul a bit.
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Before you bring a homecooked meal to someone’s house, please ask if there is anyone in the family with food allergies, and, if so, how to make accommodations. Approximately 1 in 12 children have food allergies, and there are millions of us adults with food allergies too.
Sandy, if you would ever like a guest blogger to write a full post on entertaining with food allergic guests, just let me know!
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Last meal that I shared was actually two. I took a homemade chicken pot pie to a family who was at hospice with their loved one. I also took along store bought cinnamon rolls, juice and fruit for the next morning. This weekend I am going to visit a family with a newborn, and think that a big salad will be the best bet for this time of year….maybe the goodies from some of the roasted strawberry bruschetta…
Mindi´s last [type] ..Follow Up
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Last meal I took was to a family who just had a baby and the gal who sit it up was using Take Them A Meal and it was so nice to see what others were taking so they didn’t receive the same things. I have a simple chicken casserole that is quick and easy to make and it freezes well so you can do it ahead if you want too, a complete bagged salad kit, some nice french bread and a frozen salad with bananas, pineapple, and cranberry sauce in it..nice and refreshing and you can freeze it for months ahead. I love simple but I also like good taste.
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As the head of our church’s Helping Hands Ministry, I found and love TakeThemAMeal.com for scheduling. We are currently taking meals to a family who is ministering to a dying mother. That site gives great tips & hints as well as recipe ideas. I took chicken & rice, green beans, cheese biscuits & a watermelon.
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Love that you deliver it in a basket. Last meal, I prepared was for a woman in my study who gave birth. I made quiche and added a bag salad. This is my signature meal to prepare and give. But now I must include brownies!!!
courtney´s last [type] ..LL is FOUR!
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Love the post!
My meal to take to families has long been a frozen party size lasagna (the 8×10 size), a bag of salad mix complete with croutons and dressing, 1-2 loaves of frozen garlic/cheese bread, and pudding cups. No, none of it is homemade, but no one has ever turned it away. I have even had people ask me for my lasagna recipe!
The lasagna can be delivered frozen or already heated, depending on the desire of the recipient or the scheduled delivery time. The salad comes with everything they need, so its okay if they don’t have dressing in the fridge. It is best to bring the bread frozen, takes 5-8 minutes to reheat and is much better fresh and crispy than lukewarm and soggy. The pudding cups…well, they were my kids’ favorite store bought treat, and I’ve never met a kid who didn’t love them. They are also easy, pre-portioned, and make us all feel like kids. I also bring paper plates, plasticware, and paper napkins, so there are no dishes to wash and nothing to return.
The simplicity of this plan makes it possible for me to be able to say “yes!” cheerfully and easily. I buy the lasganas and frozen bread at a Costco/Sams and keep them in the freezer so I’m ready to help. Just pick-up the salad and pudding on the way to their home….
Tonia
PS: If your plan makes you a stress case and a grump to your own family, then you need a new plan! That was the genesis of this plan for me, I can do it, its good, and I can be a blessing both to others AND my own family.
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I am at that age and stage where lots of my friends are having babies (me too!) I love to take an ice-cream container filled with snacks- roasted nuts, a mix of home-made biscuits, dried fruit. I also like to take a simple meal like soup and scones- I make big batches of soup and scones at a time and freeze them, then just pull out some of each when I hear of a friend in need. Another favourite meal to make is a roast. If you make LOTS of roast potatoes (which, done well, are the best bit of the meal if you ask me!) and other veg, it doesn’t need to cost alot or even take that much prep time or active work, just lots of baking time, which is fine with me, a stay at home Mum. It’s also a big treat for the family receiving it and seems special.
I also like to take a packet of popcorn and/or jelly, as they’re both fun snacks that are really simple for anyone to help the kids in the family make and favourites for kids to eat
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Sandy, Please keep posting the meals you gift to others, they truly inspire me and are some of my favourite posts!
Just off the top of my head, I tend to share breakfast:
Baskets of homemade muffins [so easy to make a variety and lots of them once you have all of the baking ingredients out] with Fruit salad with the best fruit I can find [I didn't have the energy to chop anything when my baby was born, and I craved healthy food! - there were only so many bananas one girl can eat]
Other food that has been well recieved:
Soups
A plate of cookies or squares – Hello Dolly squares are very easy. I think it’s important to keep in mind that it doesn’t always have to be a full dinner that you gift [although this was your question to all of us].
Also, we have a place that sells terrific frozen gourmet filled pastas [tortellini, ravioli, manicotti etc.] with fresh pasta sauces – easy for recepiants to throw in the freezer in case they don’t need it right away.
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This is great! While trying to organize our church’s “take a meal” program I realize many people wish to help but many do not cook or lack the time. They as well as those they serve will be blessed by your encouragement. Thank you all for your tips – this is the first I’ve heard about the CareCalendar and Take Them A Meal sites.
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