by Karen Leckey

No doubt every church has a ladies’ ministry (or a lady) that oversees meals for families who are welcoming a new baby, going through a major surgery or treatment, or grieving over the death of a loved one.  This all-important service is probably one of the first services set up by church leadership that leans heavily on the women in the church (the nursery is another such service) to organize and implement.

Some potential potholes that make this service difficult at times is the lack of knowing ahead.  Unless a mother schedules a C-section, the church family will not know the exact day a baby is born or when a mom is going to return home.  Surgeries tend to have more advanced notice, but sudden illness is appropriately named.  Sudden (or expected) death summons a church to step in to fulfill many functions.  This particular idea (Gourmet Givers is the name used by one church) is meant to only deal with the meal deliveries of these different events.  Each ladies’ ministry can take this idea and “tweak” it according to the size and service opportunities of each church.

First Organizational Step

Gather a list of ladies’ names who are willing to be “on call” for cooking and delivering meals to a needy family in the church.  Be sensitive to a lady who might feel comfortable cooking but not delivering.  In these instances, make it easy for a lady to work behind the scenes.  Teaming up with a lady to deliver meals is also another simple way to stretch a lady who would otherwise not deliver a meal.  There is safety in numbers.  Avoid delivering meals with groups of ladies that might overwhelm a new mom or tire out a recovering patient.  See below for an idea on how to ask a lady her preference without putting her on the spot.

Second Organizational Step

Put together a form that allows ladies to write down menus that they are comfortable cooking.  Have them write down all the courses; not just the main course.

Third Organizational Step

Meet ahead of time with an expectant mom or family member to plan the menu and deliveries.  The goal of this service is to make life easier during difficult and/or transition periods of life.   Record the answers on a form that helps keep all of the information in one spot, especially if another lady takes over.

• When does a mom/family member want meals to begin—the day they return from the hospital/funeral or the day after?
• Are there any foods that a family member can’t eat or shouldn’t? Allergies?  Any favorite meals?
• How many should we cook for (will there be visiting family members)?
• How many days would the meals be delivered?
• Does the family prefer freezer meals?

Note:  Work with your pastor in setting up the boundaries of this service.  Many churches offer a dinner meal for 7 days after a normal delivery and/or recovery situation but will extend meals to 14 days and beyond if complications occur.

Fourth Organization Step

Follow through!  Call the volunteers when the need arises and use the information gathered to make the service encouraging to the needy families but as convenient as possible for the supporting church families.  Follow through!  Call the family and let them know the plan.  Don’t leave them guessing.  Make yourself available in case a meal does not show up or a circumstance doesn’t allow a volunteer to do a meal.  Follow through!  Be appreciative of the volunteers.  Be thankful for their service, publicly when appropriate and privately by letter or phone call.

Menu Inventory Form

Name: _____________________

Email: _____________________

Best way to reach you during the day: _____________________

during the evening: _____________________

Please circle your preference:

I can cook and deliver a meal.

I can cook but prefer not to deliver a meal.

I am unable to cook but can deliver a meal.

Please circle two days of the week where you are normally free to prepare and deliver a meal.

Su          M          Tu          W          Th          F          Sa

Please circle two days of the week where you have other commitments and would not be available to prepare a meal.

Su          M          Tu          W          Th          F          Sa