Meal Train
Meal Train Ministry
“A little grace and a little mercy served up in a tasty meal sure is good for the soul.”
One of the practical ways we can serve people is through providing meals during difficult or challenging moments in their lives. This is a very tangible way to care for and serve those in our Trinity family. It can also serve as a powerful witness to the love of Christ to a friend or family in need. Many of us have informally responded to this call to minister at various times throughout the years, and now there is an online tool and coordinators to make it easier to organize meals for a recipient. The website MealTrain.com provides an online platform to help us schedule the meal needs and requests of our Meal Recipients with the availability and abilities of our Meal Providers.
WHAT TYPE OF OCCASIONS WOULD CALL FOR A MEAL TRAIN?
There are any number of challenging moments that an individual or family may face where meals would help ease the burden. Here are a few examples:
· Bringing home a new baby
· Having a family member in the hospital
· Having a family member recovering at home
· The death of a loved one
· A family move
· Military deployment
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE MEALS?
Our Meal Train ministry is primarily set up to serve Trinity families. We will, however, consider special requests made by parishioners for a friend or family member in need.
HOW DOES A MEAL TRAIN FUNCTION?
First, we create a team of people who volunteer their time and resources to provide meals. They may be great cooks or they may be great at arranging store or restaurant meal deliveries. Culinary ability is less important; what matters most is the love and care offered by our Meal Providers.
Second, when someone requests a Meal Train, a coordinator will gather the important information such as dates meals are needed, food preferences or dislikes, allergies, family size, and other details for care and prayer purposes. A Meal Train is set up by our coordinators. A link is then sent to our Meal Providers. At this point, Meal Providers can sign up to contribute meals on specific days until the schedule is filled.
Lastly, the Meal Providers will then coordinate the delivery of meals with the recipient. The recipient will also be able to view online the Meal Train and details.
HOW CAN YOU BLESS OTHERS WITH MEALS?
Dorothy Sullivan and Judy Gregory will coordinate this ministry, but we need volunteer Meal Providers. Please email Judy at gjeeggregory@msn.com and give your name, email and phone number if you are called to this ministry. Meal Providers will be contacted through a group email with a link to a Meal Train schedule every time a new Meal Train is set up. When you see a date that works with your schedule, click on it and type in your name to claim it. On your day, prepare/pick-up your meal, contact the recipient and deliver the meal at the arranged time and place. Reap the blessings of giving and encouraging someone. Please understand that you are not obligated to sign up for each Meal Train. Sign up when you can help.
DO YOU NEED A MEAL TRAIN?
Email Judy Gregory at gjeeggregory@msn.com and include the following information
· Name
· Email address
· Home address
· Phone number
· Reason for need (example: arrival of a new baby, injury/surgery, extended illness, condolences, military deployment, etc.)
· Beginning date for meals
· Ending date for meals
· Frequency of meals (i.e., each day, every third day, once a week)
· # of adults to cook for
· # of kids to cook for
· Preferred delivery time
· Allergies/dietary restrictions
· Ingredients/meals to avoid (dislikes)
OR
Complete the information on the paper form available above the table in the Narthex or in the hallway by the office and place it in Judy’s box in the office.
QUESTIONS?
Please call or email either
· Dorothy Sullivan 970-352-5066 dotsully34@gmail.com
· Judy Gregory 970-339-8569 gjeeggregory@msn.com