Relief Society: Five Tips on Taking Meals to Families

by Miriam Caldwell | More from this Blogger

22 Nov 2006 11:23 PM

Once you are in the Relief Society it seems that one service that is regularly needed is to take meals into someone's home. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Some of the reasons are happy ones, like the birth of the baby, or the reasons may be sad, such as illness or death in the family. Here are five tips for taking meals into someone.

1) It is nice to call and check with the family to see if there are any food allergies or foods to avoid. If there are specific allergies the family might have suggestions that are easy to prepare, but can still feed the whole family.

2) Often people will bring in spaghetti or lasagna. If the family is having several meals brought in, it would be nice to coordinate what is being brought in. It can be as simple as assigning a theme to each night, or asking the others what they are taking. It is difficult to eat the same thing night after night.

3) If you can you may want to make enough that the family can have leftovers for the next night. Casseroles and soups are great meals that are easy to make in large portions fairly inexpensively.

4) It may be difficult for one sister to provide an entire meal for a family. This is especially true if the family is a larger one. You may want to divide the meal between two or more sisters, assigning the main dish, sides and dessert.

5) Finally it is important to be on time when you bring the meals. It can difficult for young children to wait to eat. If there is an illness or death in the family, the family may be operating on a tight schedule so that everything can be accomplished.

The service that you provide when you take a meal into someone is invaluable. It may be that you will never realize the difference it made to someone. It is always appreciated. It is also important to realize that it shouldn't be a financial strain for you. It is okay to take in simple meals, not everything needs to be elaborate.

Related Articles: The Blessings of Relief Society Visiting Teaching

Learn more about Miriam Caldwell

Miriam is a SAHM mom of three children. She has a daughter who is seven, and two sons, four and two. She loves being a parent and spending time with her children.

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Nola Redd (7081) 23 Nov 2006 07:39 PM

One of my favorite parts about having a baby was having the RS bring over dinners...okay, it was a little lower on the list than the 'biggies', but it was always wonderful! We're going to be having our next baby in a fairly new ward, and I'm interested in seeing how that goes, but meals are such a blessing. Thanks for some great suggestions!

Miriam Caldwell (8030) 24 Nov 2006 03:04 PM

I've always enjoyed the meals as well. Growing up it was my favorite part of my mom having a baby. Every ward is different. In my current ward I've taken meals in to people, but it has not been organized through the Relief Society. All the meals that were brought to me with my second the sisters in the ward contacted me directly, it was not organized through the Relief Society. I am due in January, so we'll see what happens.

newbiemum05 (246) 19 Dec 2006 09:41 AM

I found that the meals were lovely but came in the first week we brought our son home whne my husband was at home on paternity leave - it would have been more helpful if they came the week he went back to work with me adjusting to being at home alone with a baby. I wonder if there would be scope to allow for this - I may drop a line to our RS President (I am secretary)

Miriam Caldwell (8030) 21 Dec 2006 11:00 PM

With my second, the sisters, who brought me meals, knew my mother-in-law was coming to help, so they all waited until she went home, and then they brought me my meals. It was nice to have them then. (Though I think my mother-in-law was surprised that no one brought meals to the family right after the baby.) There is nothing wrong with asking for a delay, though often the Relief Society will bring in meals while the mom is still in the hospital to help out the dad.