Drop and Run MEALS!

Meet my Guest: GiBee from Kisses of Sunshine

GiBee has been my friend for a long time.  She is the author of Kisses of Sunshine, where she talks about faith, family, fertility and foods. I've always been impressed by her servant's heart and willingness to give to others.  I'd say she is NOT a reluctant entertainer, by any means, and because of that, she has some great advice for all of us ...

Thanks for sharing with us on 4RE, GiBee!

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I can’t even begin to count the times I’ve taken a meal to someone who was sick, or just gave birth, or even experienced a death in the family. In fact, this past month, I’ve had no less than two friends in need of meals. One friend has three kids under the age of 5, and she’s pregnant with her fourth, having sinus problems. At the same time, another young woman in our church was having seizures. Both of these instances were opportunities for me to minister to them with food.

And that’s when it dawned on me. We all have people within our circle of family, friends and neighbors that for one reason or another are in need of being ministered to in the form of a good meal delivered to their front door step… whether someone has had a birth of a new child, the loss of a loved one, are ill, severely depressed, stressed, overworked and exhausted, or have had surgery… there are plenty of needs.

First, I have a few simple rules for delivering meals: 1) communicate with the receiver about likes, dislikes, allergies, etc.; 2) take into account the receiver’s needs; 3) keep the meal simple; 4) make enough for their family; 5) don’t make new and un-tried recipes; 6) don’t burden the receiver by inviting yourself to stay; 7) make it a blessing.

MY FIRST MEAL: I decided to “dress” this meal delivery up a bit – something I enjoy doing often. I got a tray that I had among my serving pieces (a box will work nicely), and placed a pretty cloth napkin on it. I made a hearty layered salad (I got to pick fresh lettuce from my garden – woohoo!) in a clear acrylic bowl (with big chunks of ham, plenty of cheese and bacon), made a quick loaf of bread from refrigerated dough, and made some chocolate chip cookies from refrigerated dough. I also made some strawberry lemonade (I know they are fond of lemonade) and placed it in a large snap-lid glass jar. 

Menu Recap: Layered salad; bread; chocolate chip cookies; lemonade.

MY SECOND MEAL: I started off with disposable “anyone-can-do-this” aluminum trays with lids that I got from the grocery store; I made a simple one-dish pasta meal (Basil Chicken Pasta) with store-bought Alfredo sauce (normally I’d make it from scratch), chicken from my freezer, and a few vegetables and herbs that I had in my refrigerator and freezer. Since she was not allowed to eat chocolate, I added some sliced watermelon, and for a special snack late at night, I picked up a pint of Brewster’s Peach ice cream on my way to her home. I tied the containers together with ribbon I had on hand and added a flower from my garden. 

Menu Recap: Basil Chicken Pasta; Watermelon; Ice Cream.

With just a little forethought, anyone can pull together a simple meal (Drop and Run!) to bless a family in need. It doesn’t need to be a “home cooked” meal, either. You can even take one of the many meals that Costco, WalMart, or other grocery stores provide, with a bagged salad, and a bakery dessert.

Most meals can be super easy, and will always be welcomed and appreciated by the recipient.

Sandy has mentioned before how she got a group of moms in her daughter’s class to cook a meal twice a month for her daughter’s teacher, and how she and her daughter and the Balcony Girls will take small plates of baked goods or flowers from her yard to the neighbors.

Next time a friend mentions to you that they’ve been harried, and/or under the weather why not try putting together a quick meal that will bless their socks off? 

It isn’t as hard as you think!

How do YOU bless other people with food?