3 Unique Reasons to Share a Meal

On January 30, 2016 by Once a Month Meals

Think beyond the obvious, and share a meal with someone new to you!

At certain times in life it is common to share a meal: after a baby is born, after a surgery or hospital stay, or after a loss in the family. But we want to encourage you this month to think outside the box and share the love with someone you may not have thought to share a meal with before. It may require you to break out of your comfort zone or to reach out to someone who isn’t in your regular circle of acquaintances. But I promise it won’t be too painful.

I recently experienced first hand the simplicity of sharing a meal.

What newscasters called a “1,000 year flood” hit my community. Hundreds were displaced overnight. First responders sprang into action in the wee hours of the night and worked tirelessly for days. Engineers and contractors worked around the clock to keep water and power on in the city. But the most surprising thing was to see regular people rushing to help. Those who weren’t hit hard, cooked and packed many hundreds of meals to bring to emergency workers, repair crews, and families huddled in shelters. They didn’t know these people. But they organized themselves in their churches, in their neighborhoods, even strangers on social media worked together to make sure that people had their basic needs met during this catastrophe. It was rather incredible to witness the kindness of strangers in a difficult time for our community.

You may not be in a disaster zone right now, but that doesn’t mean there is no one hurting, lonely, or simply needing to hear “thank you.” So this month we challenge you to “Freeze it Forward” by looking for a unique opportunity to share a meal in your community, even if you don’t know the recipient yet.

3 Unique Reasons to Share a Meal

1. Gratitude – Go beyond a thank you card!

• Military – Single soldiers who live on base, families with a parent who is deployed, a family who has just moved to a new town and doesn’t know anyone yet – whatever the situation – this is a great opportunity to encourage our soldiers (and their families) and say thank you!
• Teachers – Instead of another nicknack, give these special people a practical gift – give them some time back in their busy schedule! Ask them if they would rather have lunches they can pack for school days or easy dinners for those nights they take home piles of papers to grade.
• Emergency workers – EMTs, ER doctors and nurses, firefighters, police officers – they all work long and hard hours to keep your community safe. Say thank you by giving them a meal personally or by stocking the freezer where they work, since they often eat and sleep on the job.

2. Going it Alone – Give them better than the freezer aisle.

• Someone who lives alone – A single college student who needs a home-cooked meal, a widow or widower, an elderly shut-in – those who live alone often find it difficult to cook for one. Pay them a visit and bring some meals packaged in single servings.
• Single parents – Whether this is a long term situation or short term, meals are one of the best ways to help out a mom or dad who is running the household alone. When my husband made a month-long trip for work, freezer meals kept me from ordering pizza every night. I now have a huge amount of respect for those who parent alone. You might even offer to serve a meal to the children while mom or dad goes out alone for a few hours to recharge! Of course, you can leave them something in the freezer for another night too.

3. Challenging Seasons of Life – Beyond babies and funerals.

• Foster or Adoptive Parents – Help a family celebrate their “Gotcha Day” with a meal. Whether a family is adding a new baby or an older child, meals can help ease this big transition.
• Someone who is out of work – It is tough to budget for groceries when you don’t have a regular income. You can bless someone who is in between jobs by stocking their freezer.
• Someone with chronic illness – We are quick to help in emergency situations, but there are those who struggle with illness for years. They may have some good days and put on a happy face, but they often struggle to do simple daily tasks, like cook dinner.
• Someone who has recently moved – It can take a few days to get settled after a move. You are still unpacking the kitchen and stocking the pantry. Roll out the welcome wagon and bring a meal (or several) to new neighbors, especially those with young children. Be sure to include some paper plates!
• Someone who is required to eat a special diet – It is overwhelming for someone who has just received a diagnosis to overhaul their pantry and cooking style. Diabetics, celiacs, allergy sufferers – you can help by giving these folks some go-to meals to get started with their new lifestyle. Just double-check with them first on preventing cross-contamination in the case of an allergy. You may want to cook for them in their home just to be sure.

Tell us about any unique opportunities for sharing that have been presented to you over the years!