Easy (veg-friendly) homeless meals to make?
By maezee
@maezee (41997)
United States
February 29, 2012 7:19pm CST
I need some ideas. I go down to the homeless shelter once a month and hand out free clothes, snacks, etc, but I would kind of like to start making MEAL-type items (something besides sweets and soda/bottled water), but I need some help coming up with ideas of what I could make that would be easy, low-maintenance, that I could make in bulk without breaking the bank.
Another problem we face is keeping it warm. So whatever I cooked would have to be something that could be eaten cold or luke-warm anyway.
I am also a vegetarian so I don't feel all that comfortable handling meat.
I was thinking perhaps I could make about 20-30 small bowls of some kind of pasta salad? But of course then I also have to provide the bowls, spoons, and expect tons of litter to accrue as a result.
I could also make sandwiches of some sort, but we usually already have sandwiches. I really want to make something that isn't sweet or isn't a PB&J. Of course I am not a great cook and don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on it.
Do you have any ideas for me?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
1 Mar 12
I would have suggested veggie wraps, but you already usually have the sandwiches thing covered.
Mini quiches would be an idea. Samosas would be another (basically dough with a filling) since they can be served either hot or cold. Deviled eggs would be a nice option, provided that keeping food cool isn't an issue.
Cakes and cookies don't have to be sweet. They can be made to be savory. For instance, Martha Stewart's website has a recipe for cheddar cheese thumbprint cookies. There are other recipes out there for savory treats, or you can (if you feel comfortable doing so) even alter a sweets recipe to make it savory.
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
• United States
1 Mar 12
How about a quiche? You can make different kinds like broccoli and cheddar, swiss and asparagus, etc. They are delicious and can be eaten at room temperature without a bowl - just a napkin. you can slice it up and put in baggies to help you hand out.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
1 Mar 12
i like your idea of pasta salad and veggies. could you put some tuna in it? this way you almost have all the food groups covered and it would be a very nutitious meal for them.
i was also thinking about some hot veggie soup or some hot oatmeal but it may be a problem.
@marie2052 (3691)
• United States
1 Mar 12
how about potato salad or cole slaw? Baked beans you can make in bulk too.
If they serve a warm meal at the shelter maybe some corn bread instead of a cake or cookies?
Would go well with the soup.
I remember mom used to make a dish of elbow macoroni and tomatoes. She did add just a bit of sugar for taste, I would not eat it cold but my dad would.
I will keep thinking and get back with you. I know there are tons of things but when you try to answer your brain stops responding must be my age LOL
have a good evening dear and thanks for helping the homeless.
I do mine in a different way. I make knitted squares for an organization that turns them into afghans.
@almond24 (1248)
• Hungary
1 Mar 12
I think the idea with the salad or pasta salad would be great. I wonder if a shelter has plates and spoons or it's really you who has to provide it?
Maybe you could make veggie nuggets or patties (or something similar to the indian pakora, that you can fry in a pan or in the oven), though if you make a lot of them, it can be a lot of hassle.
There are simple salty snacks also that you can bake in the oven, like crescent rolls or some salty biscuits...
You are doing a wonderful thing with helping homeless people!
@ryuseirecca (12)
• Indonesia
1 Mar 12
Do the vegetarian eat eggs too??
I don't like any meat but I like eggs, so I cook meal by egg based
