We attend a relatively new and youthful church. It is filled with generous and caring, but very busy, people. A lot of the families do not have a parent that stays home full time. So, when those of us on the meal team have to prepare meals for families in need, especially on weekdays, we have to plan in advance and strategize.

Here’s what we do (and I think it is great, that’s why I’m sharing!) to ease the burden of the meal prep: we do a cook-off!

About every 3 months the meal team gets together for an evening of making meals. We make 4 different freezer friendly main dishes. Each team member brings the meat to make one of each dish. We then chip in about $6 per dish for the other ingredients which the leader purchases ahead of time. We make all the dishes, which are stored (uncooked) in the church freezer. So we aren’t really “cooking” them yet, just putting the meals together.

When we are notified that someone needs a meal, the leader emails out and when it is your turn – you go take one of the freezer meals, add a bagged lettuce salad kit (or other side item) and a dessert item with it, and deliver. By the way, I love cherry turnovers on the day old bakery rack at $1.50 for 6!

So if I buy meat at $2/lb. x 4 meals x 2 lbs. per meal = $16 for meat
And $6 for other ingredients x 4 meals = $24 for other ingredients
So $16 + $24 = $40 for 4 casserole sized main dishes (9×13 pans)

I’m sure I could do it cheaper on my own, but for the ease of it, it works out pretty well! Plus, it is fun! And, since we know what is stocked in the freezer, the families receiving the meals sometimes get a choice of what they prefer. So all in all, fairly frugal with the money, but especially with the time and energy spent!

You can find Emily at Little Home, where she shares ideas for good and simple living.

Photo from stockvault.net