Meal Program Information

Thank you for your interest in providing meals for the patients and families who stay with us. Our House Meal program is perhaps the most mutually beneficial activity we offer: for patients and families, it offers a break from hospital or vending machine meals, as well as the opportunity to sit down and relax, participating in a routine from their pre-hospital life. For volunteers (aka the “chefs”!), it is a rewarding experience of connecting with others who are in need of comfort and care. These folks will make their appreciation known. To sign up or ask questions, please contact Janet Hudgens at 919.932.8009 or janet@secufamilyhouse.org.

Good to Know

  1. House Meals are normally served around 6PM.
  2. Meal groups should consist of 5-10 people, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age.
  3. If for any reason you are unable to make your scheduled meal, we ask that you call to cancel.
  4. If anyone in your group is not feeling well or is sick, they should stay home because many of our patients have suppressed immune systems.
  5. Plan to feed about 35-45 people – it’s better to prepare too much food, as leftovers are popular!
  6. Pots, pans, utensils, serving dishes, silverware, napkins, etc. are provided by the House.
  7. Plan to arrive at the House to begin meal prep at least one hour in advance.
  8. Plan to stay after the meal for general kitchen clean-up (place leftovers in fridge, take out trash, etc.).
  9. If you want to offer a meal but would prefer to prepare it off-site and bring it in, this is fine, too.
  10. You need not bring beverages. Guests are responsible for getting their own drink for the meal.

Setting up, Serving & Cleaning

Our kitchen is adequately equipped with 4 stoves/ovens, 4 dishwashers, 4 sinks, and plenty of counter space. House Meals are served buffet style; plates and silverware placed at the end of one island; food platters at the other end.. Family House guests know that dinner is served at 6PM so they will come on down and into the kitchen around this time. Please feel free to dine with our families! This is the best part of the whole experience for all involved. Also, feel free to enlist them to help you prepare the meal if they seem interested. Around  7:00, all of our families that are planning to eat will have done so. Any leftovers can be placed in the house refrigerators and meal clean-up can begin. Please label and date all leftovers and place them in the Community Fridge .  If food needs to be stored in the Community Freezer, please put in Tupperware and store in small portions.

What Should You Cook?

If you prepare a hot, balanced meal, people will eat it! There are no meal restrictions.  We welcome your creativity in menu selection and can help you with recipes and suggestions.   (Meal examples: salad, chicken casserole, and dessert; Potato Bar; Soup, salad, and bread; Spaghetti, Lasagne, etc.   Basically, whatever you prepare will get eaten!  It is also fine to bring in restaurant-made pizzas or subs, etc.)

Information about Our Families

Our families represent the full spectrum of North Carolina’s people. A real mix of income and ethnicity, they hail from small rural towns down east and in the mountains, big cities in the Piedmont; and towns up and down the coast. The common thread is that they are in the midst of a medical crisis far from home. Learn more about our families here.

Thank you in advance for donating your effort, time and talent to cook for and dine with our families. It makes a difference!