How-to “Take Them A Meal”

 

 

This time of year we will all be looking for even more ways to help those in need. One of the most popular ways to help families {year-round} is taking meals to them during a time of need. I have found a website that makes organizing providing meals a cinch. Introducing: Take Them A Meal!

This site allows you to create a “schedule” to help organize all those who want to take a family or individual a meal. This system is helpful in so many ways:

1. makes sure there is only 1 meal per night
2. reduces the risk of duplicate meals
3. helps everyone remember when its their turn to take a meal with a friendly reminder
4. keeps all the important information in one place
   • address
   • phone number(s)
   • like/dislikes
   • allergies
5. the recipient can see when to expect a meal and when they may need to cook something or grab some of their awesome leftovers

 

To start, click the button on the main page to “create a schedule”

Here is what it will look like once you began to create. You’ll need to chose a coordinate who will basically just create  the schedule but they may also need to send out text reminders to reassure meals are not forgotten.
The phone numbers and emails are never shared with anyone but the TTAM staff {who only send 1 friendly reminder when its your turn} and those participating in the schedule to help with organization.

You can chose who long you want people to take meals {ie 2 days, 4 weeks, really any amount of time}.

Be sure to remember what name & password you use for this schedule because you’ll need it to share with those participating so they can log on and sign-up. You can also share this with the recipient so they can make plans based on the schedule.

The bottom half of this creation process is one of my favorite features. You can make personalized notes for each individual or family: specific times for meals to be delivered that work for THEM, likes, dislikes, allergies, and any other unique things you would like to share with those participating.

You can also plug in a website or phone number for the recipients favorite local restaurants or delivery places for those who want to participate but don’t have the time to make a meal.

After you hit create, you can send out the recipient’s name & the password you created to friends and family can start filling up the schedule with the date that works for them to provide a meal.

 

When they log-in, this is what they will find.

The provider will be ask their:

• name
• e-mail {for a reminder e-mail from TTAM only when its their turn}
• phone number {for the coordinator and other providers’ use only}
• meal they plan to provide {to help other know what is already being taken}

If you are unable to make a meal but would still like to provide a meal, check out their “send them a meal” tab:

Other things that would thoughtful things to provide a family/individual with during this time would be:

1. paper goods-
   • paper plates
   • plastic utensils
   • napkins
   • paper towels
   • toilet paper
   • storage containers for leftovers
2. simple breakfast items-
   • frozen waffles
   • cereal
   • pre-made pancake batter
3. easy lunch-
   • PB&J
   • sandwich meat(s), bread, cheese, condiments
   • tuna salad
4. dessert-
   extra yummies around the house can always comfort and cheer those in need
5. snacks-
   some times people may not need or be in the mood for a full meal so snacks are a great thing for them to have on hand
6. an extra meal for the freezer-
   many times casseroles are favorite dishes to provide a family/individual so making a second meal that can be frozen for later can be super helpful weeks later when the meals stop but they may still need a quick meal

Don’t forget, this site is called “Take Them A Meal” and they have a sister site called “Perfect Potluck” I recommend checking out 😀

I hope this fairly new website makes being helpful this season that much easier! Have fun!!!