topic Re: Meal Train in Community Chat

Meal Train

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 14 May 2024 21:32:41 GMT

Last week, a couple from our community was involved in an awful accident. Both sustained critical injuries but survived. They are going to be discharged from the hospital soon but are not in any condition to do their own grocery shopping or their own cooking. A friend has organized something called a Meal Train thru a website of the same name, so people can sign up to deliver dinners everyday for the next few weeks. I never knew something like this existed other than what might be arranged at someone's personal church. Individuals select the date they want to supply the meal and write what they're making so other volunteers don't make the same thing. I was happy to sign up. If the dates don't fill up within a few days I might take another. There's also an option for gift cards and monetary donations. Anyway, I think this is a great way for the community to help their own.

ETA - there's a spot in the volunteer section where food preferences and allergies are listed, so volunteers know what to avoid or what is a favorite of the recipient.

Re: Meal Train

Janey2 — Tue, 14 May 2024 20:58:29 GMT

I would never eat a meal if I did not know the person making it. I would send in food from a restaurant. The idea is nice but it would not work for me.

Re: Meal Train

CelticCrafter — Tue, 14 May 2024 21:05:04 GMT

@Janey2 wrote:
I would never eat a meal if I did not know the person making it. I would send in food from a restaurant. The idea is nice but it would not work for me.

@Janey2 my Dad was the same way. He wouldn't even take from a next door or across the street neighbor.

Re: Meal Train

gidgetgh — Tue, 14 May 2024 21:14:49 GMT

While I love the sentiment, I am not a meal train kind of girl.

If on the receiving end, I am a really picky eater. I mean really picky. And additionally, I'm not big on eating foods that others have prepared for me, unless it is my sister.

Prople coming every day and giving me food would overwhelm me.

Re: Meal Train

ThinkingOutLoud — Tue, 14 May 2024 21:22:22 GMT

I've seen this site used as well as Sign Up Genius.

Anyway, if possible, it might be worth suggesting every other day as people usually take enough for there to be leftovers. I've heard of people being brought so much food, they don't know what to do with it all and don't have the space in the fridge/freezer.

Re: Meal Train

Etoile308 — Tue, 14 May 2024 21:26:38 GMT

Like others, nice idea in theory but...

I think something like gift cards to Instacart, DoorDash, Grubhub, or local pizza shops or Chinese restaurants that deliver may be more practical. Only they know their likes, allergies, dietary restrictions, cravings.

Re: Meal Train

luvmybeetle — Tue, 14 May 2024 21:26:51 GMT

Wow, I find it depressing that some of you can't accept kindness of food from a neighbor or friend, but will accept from a restaurant. When I had back surgery many years ago my church did that food chain and I really appreciated it.

I do realize that some people have allergies to some food but our church asked about that and what foods I liked.

Re: Meal Train

Franklinbell — Tue, 14 May 2024 21:30:26 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch What a wonderful idea!! your a blessing!

Re: Meal Train

cjm61 — Tue, 14 May 2024 21:38:32 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch

This is a great service. My daughter had a difficult time with her pregnancy and delivery. Not sure who, but someone organized a Meal Train or similar after she gave birth.

My daughter did fill something out beforehand with any likes or dislikes as well as possible allergies. I was with her for a couple weeks while she received the meals. Everything was wonderful.

Like @luvmybeetle , the people responding here just cause me to shake my head. No appreciation for the time, money and love put into these meals. Some meals were delivered to my daughter directly from a restaurant while others spent a lot of time preparing food.

My mom always taught me to be gracious and appreciate gifts given. I would NEVER complain about someone giving food to someone unable to prepare meals themselves, for whatever reason.

Re: Meal Train

Lakelife62 — Tue, 14 May 2024 21:41:01 GMT

@luvmybeetle wrote:
Wow, I find it depressing that some of you can't accept kindness of food from a neighbor or friend, but will accept from a restaurant. When I had back surgery many years ago my church did that food chain and I really appreciated it.

I do realize that some people have allergies to some food but our church asked about that and what foods I liked.

If they couldn't move around and had no one to prepare a healthy/healing meal for them, they'd eat what was brought in. Count on it.

Re: Meal Train

Janey2 — Tue, 14 May 2024 21:44:20 GMT

You all missed the point. It has nothing to do with not thinking this is a great idea, I just could never eat food from someone's kitchen if I do not know you. I know many people who feel this way. How would I know if your place is clean or not. How would I know if the ingredients were fresh? So many questions and it has nothing to do with being appreciative or not. Just could not do it.

Re: Meal Train

RedTop — Tue, 14 May 2024 21:56:22 GMT

I would not want this done for me. My food allergies were diagnosed 15 years into my marriage and my own mother never caught on to preparing certain foods for me. I'm very rigid about the foods I eat and had to do dietary consults before my knee replacement surgeries. I don't eat food prepared by other people I know, now.

I would certainly try to help someone in this situation, but would prefer paying for their grocery or restaurant order.

Re: Meal Train

50Mickey — Tue, 14 May 2024 22:00:23 GMT

One of my neighbors recently had surgery and someone organized Meal Train. I signed up and brought pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans and small cupcakes for the family. They did request no seafood and nothing spicey. I received a thank you and my neighbor said that they had enough for 2 days.

For those who do not eat food from a neighbor or a friend, I guess you have never enjoyed a pot luck church social, or a July 4th picnic or a dinner on the gounds where people bring food and everyone shares in the bounty. That's too bad. Just from my experience I have never heard of anyone getting sick or dying from these events. I am so thankful for these get togethers. For the record I am 74 and I have never been sickened by meals brought by friends or neighbors when I experienced a death in the family.

Re: Meal Train

Bri369 — Tue, 14 May 2024 22:07:33 GMT

If you don't eat food prepared by other people, I would think you wouldn't sign up for these services.

Re: Meal Train

PA Mom-mom — Tue, 14 May 2024 22:16:06 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch This is new to me, too. My DD just told me she organized a "Meal Train" at her church for a friend who just lost her mother. That was the first time I heard that term. Our church always had a committee to cover the meal needs. Having a group of friends and neighbors do the meals sounds fine. As long as everyone knows evryone else, I don't see anything wrong with that.

Re: Meal Train

lgfan — Tue, 14 May 2024 22:19:31 GMT

People have different preferences. Some people do not like to eat food from people they do not know. It shouldn't be taken as an insult. It is just a personal choice.

Re: Meal Train

Traceybakes — Tue, 14 May 2024 22:22:30 GMT

I was the recipient of a Meal Train twice during very difficult times. I appreciated it so much. To not have to shop or figure out meals was extremely helpful. I knew the people sending the meals. Sometimes they were homemade and other times delivered from a restaurant. I think it's a very helpful thing. Wishing those involved a full recovery.

Re: Meal Train

teganslaw — Tue, 14 May 2024 22:40:34 GMT

I've heard of this but didn't know it was called "meal train." It's a nice gesture, and a person has the choice whether to use it or not.

I realize that some people don't like eating a meal prepared by a person they don't know. I would guess that these people never like eating in restaurants or attend take outs, etc. . If not, that's their prerogative.

Re: Meal Train

Oznell — Tue, 14 May 2024 22:57:40 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch , agreed! Good for you. They are so helpful to people for whom just getting food, or meal prep has become difficult, for various reasons.

The last meal train that I'm aware of at our church, was for a hard-working couple with at least one or two toddlers, at least one or two pre-schoolers, and a brand new baby. Needless to say, the Mom was exhausted. We could look on the list and see what meals they had already had, so I wouldn't be bringing something they'd be too bored with.

The kids were adorable, and very excited to see what was brought. I think the train went on for about 2 weeks, just so the family could get on their feet.

Re: Meal Train

chrystaltree — Tue, 14 May 2024 23:20:52 GMT

If I couldn't cook or shop for myself; I would be grateful and thankful for such kindness and generosity. We eat restaurant food. We eat at weddings, parties, cookouts and showers and we don't die. So how is this different?