You don’t have to go very far in life to find people who are struggling and could use some help, right? New babies, single parents, traveling spouse, post-surgery singles, mid-illness–Maybe you can give a hand. One very simple way that you can help is to deliver a meal. I have written about how to put a meal together previously. Sometimes a single meal can be helpful, but other times, your friends could use meals or groceries over an extended period of time.

Getting ready to deliver meals is an act of hospitality, of providing tangible and tasty love for those in need. This week, as I was talking with a family from church for meals to be delivered, my friend Martha sent the family a great list of questions. I have always been on the cook/deliver/receiver side of things, so I appreciated that Martha’s experience extended to the set-up process, too! She agreed to share this list of questions with you.

1. Frequency: How often do you want meals? Daily? Every other day? Week days?
2. Length: How many weeks or meals could you use? One week, two weeks? A month? Two?
3. Restrictions: What do you want to avoid eating? Do you prefer spicy or not spicy, etc., or any particular type of cuisine you love or would rather not have. Are there allergies to be aware of?
4. Restaurants and grocery stores: If someone wanted to send you a meal from a restaurant, do you have some favorites? Would grocery shopping be helpful?
5. Number: How many people should the meal feed? Adults? Kids?
6. Time: What time would you typically like the food to be dropped off? Is there a range of time? Can frozen meals be delivered at a different time?
7. Delivery: How should the deliver-ers drop your meal off? Would you like them to leave it on the bench, ring the bell, then skedaddle? I.e. do you want people coming into your home?
8. Contact: Who should people call if they have a question?
9. Location: Where do you live? Is there a gate code needed? Do you have a dog?
10. People: Who should be invited to contribute? Sunday School group? Bible Study? Family members? Neighbors?

As you make the delivery, be on the alert for other ways that may be helpful to serve. Can you stop and put in a load of laundry? Wash the dishes? Take the children to the park? Eat dinner with them? Be sensitive to what is going on in the house and ask. Sometimes the drop-and-go is of greatest service!