Feeding Volunteers on a Budget

[autumnblue]

I am hosting a big event this summer and I have about 15 volunteers each day over six days to feed. I have a very tight food budget and will basically be living out of a hotel room for a week so I cannot do any cooking. Any ideas on how to feed 15 people for breakfast, lunch and snacks on the cheap?

Best,

Autumn

 

[thelionqueen]

Costco! They have sandwich trays, pastries, prepared meals, snacks, everything. I'd hit there first, I think you could get whatever you need for that many people without much cooking or any cooking at all.

 

[shortbun]

Take some crockpots and a gas camp stove or a grill. Have you ever been where you're going? What are your resources? Donut shops? Someone mentioned Costco...is there one there?

 

[HM]

I agree that visiting a place like Costco or Sams Club is a good idea.

Will you have any refrigeration?

Definitely pastries (in bulk) and juice boxes for breakfast.
Bottled water for meals
Fresh fruits made into fruit salad and rolls for lunch? Or an apple with sandwich makings?
Dinners are harder. Pizza for a couple nights?

 

[robinb]

What about staying in a hotel that provides at least breakfast? Some hotels even provide dinner! For instance, Staybridge Suites provides dinner Tues-Thurs nights and they have a grill available for cooking out.

 

[zoemurr]

a non-profit organization? If so you might want to ask for donations. Wegman's and Tops both gave us $25 for our GS troop just for walking in and asking.

Good luck!

 

[bettymae1121]

Can you get a room with a kitchenette? Even if you don't want to cook, having a full kitchen can come in handy!

Having a kitchenette means you can get frozen prepared foods (like a tray of lassagna) and keep it frozen until you need it, and bake it off in the oven. Then just add bagged salad and bang, you've got a hot meal! Ditto take-and-bake pizzas or other fresh prepared meals that just need an oven to heat up.

You can also then legally use a crock pot for simple meals. Like you could buy a huge roast and cook it with a bottle of BBQ sauce and have pulled pork/beef sandwiches one night. You'd also be able to do a pancake breakfast one day if you wanted to. They have "just add water" mixes and if you can get a hold of a few electric griddles they'd be a breeze to make up. You could also then use the griddles for grilled cheese sandwhiches for lunch/dinner one day.

If you get a full kitchen to use you'll have a ton more options and people won't get sick of cold meals 3 times a day for a week. Whatever extra a room like that will cost you may make up in cost savings for food.

 

[Planogirl]

Subway? Maybe you can find some coupons for some places.

 

[autumnblue]

Thanks for the suggestions. We are a volunteer run non-profit, so I have received some water and snack donations. Our event is at a Renaissance and there is not a free breakfast offered infact continental breakfast is $19!!!!. I have a mini suite so I have access to a very smal fridge.

I'm a member of BJ's, so I am going to approach them with a donation request, I hadn't thought of Costco or Sam's.

I'm thinking about bulk granola bars, some bread, peanut butter and jelly.

Thanks again,

Autumn

 

[rdsx28]

Not sure if there is a BIG Y near you but they have huge pizzas for reasonable prices. You could whip up a salad to go with it. They do have special nights when they are even cheaper. I know it used to be Friday's not sure about now. Breakfast- large cereal boxes from BJ's, Sam's or Costco with fruit, juice, and milk, coffee etc. Lunch you could always make large deli sandwiches. I have bought long french rolls, filled with cold cuts and had chips, potatoe salad and pickles. Some hotels have grills on site. You could buy some hot dogs and store them in a large cooler etc. It is tough with no kitchen for sure. Good Luck!

 

[rdsx28]

Another thought, sometimes a local church will allow you to use their church hall which many times has a kitchen. Since you are non profit I'm sure they would help out and you could do a spaghetti supper or something like that.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Bring several coolers with you. Designate which are for drinks and which are for food.

Pick up several the muffins/coffe cake type platters and a couple jugs juice. To make breakfast different have two different cereals along with some pieces of fruit. Serve the cereal in a cup so people can't make heaping bowls.

For lunch buy the big containers of ready made salad. Store it in the cooler along with two kinds of salad dressing. One made with cream and one from oil. Along with the salad put out 3 types of sandwhich meat to go on the salad. Serve pieces of fruit on the side along with a roll or some crackers. Serve it in a bowl if you don't want people making heaping plates.

Another choice is to pick up some tubs of chicken salad/tuna salad and some pasta salad. Put them in the cooler covered in ice. Have someone make up the sandwhiches when time comes and cut them in half.

You don't have to just eat at either your work site or the hotel, correct? You can grill out at a park. Work out something with some other nonprofits in the area even if its just to use their kitchen. Think VFW or a church.

 

[robinb]

I used to go to science fiction conventions and the Hospitality Suite (aka ConSuite) would have plenty of snacks and even some "real food". My DD also attends swim meets and coaches and officials need to be fed. Here are some ideas.

* Prepare veggie plates in advance. Cut up carrots, celery, etc plus some ranch dip.

* Buy big boxes of snack food like pretzels and chips. I know our big box hardware store (Menards) has that kind of thing.

* Let people make their own sandwiches. Buy a couple of big jars of peanut butter and jelly, buy bread from a bakery thrift store. Buy sliced meat and cheese from Costco/BJs. Aldi's might be a good place for the PB&J and even bread.

* Buy bagels and cream cheese.

* Individual yogurts.

* Cold cereal & milk.

* Get a 6' sub from Subway. They can make is with a variety of toppings.

* Make chili & soup in advance, freeze it in a ziplock bag and defrost and warm in a crock pot. Make pulled pork the same way.

* Order in pizza. See if the pizza place will give you a deal.

* Grill hot dogs in advance, freeze them and cook them in a microwave (my friend does this for the winter so he can have "grilled" hot dogs when it's too cold to grill), serve with potato salad & chips. Or ... skip the grill and warm the hot dogs in a Nesco or crock pot (?) filled with hot water.

* Make a "baked potato bar". Cook big baked potatoes in advance and warm in microwave. Serve with sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, left over chili from before, salsa, etc.

* Make a "taco bar" with the same kind of stuff.

* Have a cooler of soda & water available at all times. Volunteers get really thirsty!

 

[staciepm]

One of our gtocery storesnwill donate day old pastries. Call and ask. You have to pick them up at 11pm.