Share-A-Dish

Share-A-Dish Ministry

Share-A-Dish Ministry

Providing Food in Times of Need

De Lee Udelson, Care Coordinator

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer Him, Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?

The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

-- Matthew 25:35-40

Food can be a great source of comfort when someone is ill or hurting. Do you remember a time as a child when you may have been ill with the flu or a cold? Kind words of encouragement and a soothing bowl of soup prepared by your mother not only made you feel better physically, it made you feel cared for. This is the goal of the Share-A-Dish Ministry. We provide nourishing, home-cooked meals to those who are going through a time of crisis or need. Sometimes, those who are hurting just need to know that there is someone who cares. This is a tangible way to show the love of Christ.

The Share-A-Dish Ministry provides individually prepared frozen meals to people on a short-term basis when they are recovering from a hospital stay, experiencing a long- term illness, suffering from a death in the family, or are blessed with a new baby in the family through birth or adoption.

How Can You Help?

Volunteers are needed to help in several ways:

Cooks: People who enjoy cooking and sharing a favorite dish with others. Meals can be prepared and labeled, then brought to RUMC and stored in the Share-A-Dish freezer. Food is needed on an on-going basis and you are welcomed to prepare food as often as your schedule allows. We have suggested recipes for your use, but a good guide is if your family has a favorite meal or dish, others will enjoy those meals, too!

Delivery Persons: Volunteers are needed to pick up meals from the Share-A-Dish freezer and deliver them to RUMC families in need throughout the surrounding area.

Cook a Hot Meal: On some occasions there are needs that require a hot or fresh meal ready to eat. In these instances, persons are needed who are willing to prepare a meal that will be picked up by a volunteer.

The suggested portion size for a dish is to feed a family (4 to 6).

The ministry also needs dishes frozen in smaller proportions for feeding individuals and couples.

We do accept homemade breads and desserts, but our main focus is meals.

If you have questions, feel free to contact De Lee Udelson, 770.261.1741 or dudelson@rumc.com, in RUMC’s Care Ministries office.

This site will offer several printable recipes that are nutritious, easy to make, and freeze well:

Recipes (click on the recipe name for the recipe which will open in a separate window as a PDF file. Print and/or save to your own computer, if you wish) –

For more recipes –

http://allrecipes.com

For helpful tips on freezing –

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Focus_on_Freezing/index.asp

http://life.familyeducation.com/foods/safety/36570.html