Anonymous wrote:I recently signed up to prepare a meal for a family in need (the father in this family of 7 was critically injured). While this family is a member of my community, I do not personally know them, so do not know preferences etc. for them or their children.

It looks like his recovery will be very long, so they'll be getting meals delivered to them for quite some time. Is there anything outside the realm of pasta/taco type dishes that could be prepared in advance and delivered with some ease? It is requested that the meals provide enough for 12 people. I believe the children are approximately ages 4-14.

You should ask the person coordinating the meals to help post some guidelines for people regarding preferences, etc. I think it would really benefit them. Also, I'd recommend bringing a little something for breakfast, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a big fan of soups. You can do a huge pot on your stove or in your slow cooker and then package it up in two or three containers. Together with a loaf of bread or two and it's a good filling meal.

Things like pulled pork or chicken or sloppy joes would work well, too.

The other benefit is that things like these can both freeze and also be served a few servings at a time, i.e. if the 4yr old is eating at an earlier time than the older children.

Sorry poster, but I would be so disappointed if I got soup - I'd be starving for some real food - like with substance.

Sloppy Joes would be really easy though - a big vat of maybe 4 pounds of lean ground beef, 3 cans of manwich, and 24 buns. Voila. Maybe with some salad too and a bottle of salad dressing.

Stew would work great too - you can buy a bag of potatoes, 4 packages of stew meat, 3 packets of the McCormick Stew seasoning. A bag of carrots. you need flour.

No offense taken! I tend to make really hearty soups -- one of my family's favorites is Italian Sausage, Cannelini Bean and Pasta for example. Or the kids love Cheeseburger Soup, definitely not healthy or light! Definitely substantive by our standards, not just some plain old tomato soup. I can see though where people might view substance as requiring a knife and fork rather than a spoon.

At my church, we make a big tub of chili with macaroni noodles -- make the noodles, get a can of beans, mix in ground beef and a chili pack. Tastes really good.

There are some good mexican casserole dishes online (tamales or tortillas covered with salsa, rice, and beans) -- easy to make.

You could bring a brisket, ham or turkey over in a crockpot.

You could make homemade crabcakes. Very easy. Buy a few cans of crabmeat at Trader Joes (mix in stuffing, 2 tablespoons of mayo, egg yoke) and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes on one side of a cookie sheet and then flip over for 5 minutes. They are really great. Make some homemade slaw to go with and get a nice loaf of bread or make it.

I have done chicken pot pies - and people were very appreciative

You can also pick up 2 prepared chickens at the grocery store.

Great idea for snacks - love it. I've been the recipient before and I loved the stuff like that, that could store for a while and not have to be eaten right away.

Also a salad loaded up with chicken is a different choice.

Also a nice platter of lunch meat with kids can be a nice change.

Anonymous wrote:Could you include some "snack" type things for the children? Some homemade muffins, a couple of 6 packs of yogurts, or a box of popsicles, or some home made cookies, or cheese sticks, or a bunch of grapes. I think that families in this circumstance often get meals, which is great, but kids generally eat snacks too, and if they aren't making it to the store or money is tight, I bet they'll want those things too.

I'm not the OP but this is a GREAT idea! Like goldfish, fruit snacks, cheese, Gogurts, fruit.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a big fan of soups. You can do a huge pot on your stove or in your slow cooker and then package it up in two or three containers. Together with a loaf of bread or two and it's a good filling meal.

Things like pulled pork or chicken or sloppy joes would work well, too.

The other benefit is that things like these can both freeze and also be served a few servings at a time, i.e. if the 4yr old is eating at an earlier time than the older children.

Sorry poster, but I would be so disappointed if I got soup - I'd be starving for some real food - like with substance.

Sloppy Joes would be really easy though - a big vat of maybe 4 pounds of lean ground beef, 3 cans of manwich, and 24 buns. Voila. Maybe with some salad too and a bottle of salad dressing.

Stew would work great too - you can buy a bag of potatoes, 4 packages of stew meat, 3 packets of the McCormick Stew seasoning. A bag of carrots. you need flour.

I live in Alexandria and would love to help out. Could you post the information? Thank you!

Could you include some "snack" type things for the children? Some homemade muffins, a couple of 6 packs of yogurts, or a box of popsicles, or some home made cookies, or cheese sticks, or a bunch of grapes. I think that families in this circumstance often get meals, which is great, but kids generally eat snacks too, and if they aren't making it to the store or money is tight, I bet they'll want those things too.