Meal Train

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

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.

Janey2 · ‎06-07-2010

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.

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@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.

gidgetgh · ‎03-09-2010

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.

Why is it, when I have a 50/50 guess at something, I'm always 100% wrong?

ThinkingOutLoud · ‎05-01-2020

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.

Etoile308 · ‎01-04-2014

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.

luvmybeetle · ‎08-10-2013

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.

Franklinbell · ‎01-04-2015

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

cjm61 · ‎09-07-2014

@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.

Lakelife62 · ‎05-09-2023

@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.