How to Cater a Church VBS

Vacation Bible School can be a fun event for bringing families together to worship and learn. It can also be a logistical nightmare because you do not always know numbers attending, how much food to provide, and so on. Here are some tips on how to cater a VBS without headaches.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Determine the time of day you are hosting VBS. Mornings call for snacks and drinks. Lunch hours call for a sandwich or main dish, one side a treat and drinks. Dinner calls for a heavier meal such as hamburgers or pizza, a treat and drinks.
2. Look at funds availability. If you have a tight budget, consider soliciting donations. Grocery stores may provide basic VBS packages such as cookies, juice, cups and napkins, and a special treat for one day of the week.
3. Solicit restaurants and bakeries for trays of cookies or chicken strips. You will want to start soliciting donations far in advance of the event. Most organizations will require a letter requesting the donation with a tax-exempt identification number or a nonprofit statement.
4. Plan the menu around donations. Cut the donation requests off at least two weeks before the event. This way you know what you have. Then fill in the gaps by planning the menus for each day.
5. Utilize some members for cooking and donation of catered items. Have someone volunteer to make up coolers of tea for one day of VBS. Ask someone make cookies and have others donate juice boxes.

Tips & Warnings

• Be wary of allergy items. Make sure to find out from parents if kids have food allergies as part of registration.