How to Start a Supper Ministry

Unlike food pantries that stock their shelves with foods that can be stored for months on end and serve the community as a whole, supper ministries stock their shelves with foods that are prepared and delivered to specific people in need on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Starting a supper ministry is a great way to build a sense of community while helping those in need, but if not well-managed, it can be stressful and chaotic.

Things You'll Need

• Agreement with licensed non-profit organization
• Food
• Kitchen utilities
• Kitchen supplies
• Carry out containers
• Flyers
• Business account
• Vehicles
• Volunteers

Instructions

1. Select a group. Selecting a specific group to minister to allows your ministry to meet the needs of specific people. Moms of newborns, for instance, will welcome meals that can be frozen and cooked when needed the most. The elderly, on the other hand, will prefer meals that are fully cooked, meet specific dietary guidelines, contain solo portions, and are ready to eat on the day they arrive. The grieving prefer meals that have a bit of comfort to them, can feed a house full of guests, and allow them to heat and reheat as needed.

2. Find a partner organization. The easiest and quickest way to get a supper ministry off the ground floor is to ride the coattails of an organization that’s already established itself as a non-profit business entity. The most common partner organizations are local food shelters and churches. Your partner organization can then provide you with adequate insurance coverage, a place to store and cook meals, an office, and even a checking account.

3. Assemble a group of volunteers. While it is important to hire someone to oversee the ministry, the bulk of the duties should be run by volunteers, thus allowing more of the funds raised to feed those in need, pay rent and utility bills, and purchase necessary supplies. Volunteers can be found by placing advertisements in local churches and by asking friends to help out.

4. Raise funds. Under the guidance of your partner organization, develop a plan of action to raise funds for your supper ministry. Create letters of interest that ask the partner organization’s members to donate a few bucks, host silent auctions and invite the entire community to partake in the auction.

5. Request food donations. Ask local churches, non-profit organizations, and businesses to allow you to place flyers on the windows and entry desks. On those flyers include information about your supper ministry, list your current needs, and provide contact information and/or drop off information.

6. Create a distribution schedule. Meals can be delivered on an as-needed basis, or on a weekly basis; the timeframe will depend upon the type of ministry you start. Meals for the grieving will only need to be delivered after someone has died. The meals may start on the day of the death and end anywhere from one week to one month after the death has taken place. Meals for the elderly, however, will be something you provide on a continuous basis—whether it’s every day of the week, or only on Thursdays.

7. Deliver meals. If the parent organization owns a minivan or bus, several meals can be grouped together and delivered at once—say to a nursing home. Meals for individuals can then be delivered by volunteers who drive their own cars.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask volunteers to drive their own vehicles to deliver meals, as it will cut down on expenses.

• Keep a database of allergies so that you don’t unintentionally poison a family.

Resources

• Meals On Wheels
• 10 Tips For Bringing Meals To A Grieving Friend
• Mothers Of Preschoolers