Meals From the Heart

1. Gather Your Group – Up to 6 volunteers. Volunteers must be 16+, and groups with 16–17 year-olds need at least one adult.

2. Plan a Meal – Choose a balanced, family-friendly dinner. Meals must be ready-to-eat, easy to microwave, and keep overnight. Avoid “build-your-own” styles (like taco bars).

3. Before Your Date – Our Culinary Experience Chef may contact you to check in before your meal.

4. Shop & Bring Ingredients – Bring all items and store properly beforehand. All food must be prepared on-site; we cannot accept meals that are not cooked in our kitchens.

5. Cook On-Site – Use our fully stocked kitchens. Allow ~2.5 hours for prep, cooking, serving, and clean-up. Each group makes 60 meals.

6. Serve Dinner (5–6 p.m.) – Package and label meals, then tidy your station.

Thank you for helping nourish our families! Here are a few tips to make your meal planning easier and more nutritious:

• Aim for variety: Families appreciate options beyond mac & cheese — consider roasted chicken or turkey with vegetables, baked fish, stir-fry, casseroles, meatloaf dinners, or vegetarian-friendly options like stuffed peppers or lentil dishes.

• Include healthy sides: Add color and nutrition with roasted or steamed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, green beans, Brussels sprouts), whole grains (rice, quinoa, whole-grain bread), or fresh fruit (fruit salad, berries, grapes).

• Ready-to-serve: Meals must be easy to microwave or keep overnight. Avoid “build-your-own” styles (like taco bars or salad bars), as many families are on-the-go.

• Ask for help: When in doubt, reach out — our team is happy to answer questions before your meal date.