A new baby, a death, a surgery

Ready-made meals, delivered to the door, when a family at Grace needs them.

Helping Hands brings ready-made, non-frozen meals to the homes of individuals and families at Grace. Meals go out when a baby arrives and when someone dies, and are considered for serious illness, surgery and time in hospital.

It runs on people who like to cook and people who are happy to buy something good. There is no rota. When a need comes up a sign-up goes round, and whoever can that week, does.

In the weeks around a birth or a death, dinner is one more decision on a day with too many. Removing it is worth more than it sounds.

Most people will not ask. This is set up so that somebody else can notice on their behalf and start it moving.

Families new to Grace have said the meal train was how they met anybody at all. It arrives at the one moment nobody has the energy to go looking.

For a cook, this is the lowest-commitment serving at Grace. Nobody is handed more than they offered.

"The meal train was incredible! As a mom of a toddler and newborn my mental space was very limited and to not have to think about what was for dinner in those early sleepless days was absolutely a gift from God! It was also an awesome way to meet some people in the church we didn’t know before. We were overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity and we can’t wait to be able to return the favor."

Alli C.

"When my husband had surgery, the outpouring of support from our Grace family was overwhelming, and I’m especially grateful for the meals we received. During a time when life felt chaotic and exhausting, having meals delivered was such a blessing. Not only did it ease the burden of planning and cooking, but it also allowed me to focus on taking care of my husband and myself without worrying about the basics. Each meal felt like a gift of love and support, reminding me that we weren’t alone in this challenging time. I truly can’t express how much it meant to us; we are forever grateful for the kindness and generosity shown by everyone. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!"

Traci R.

If you need a meal

Let Hospitality know by email, by phone, or through anybody at church. The Hospitality Coordinator takes it from there and you do not have to organise anything.

If you want to cook

Say so once and you go on the list. When a need comes up you get an email with a sign-up, and you take the ones that fit your week.

What is asked for

A ready-made, non-frozen meal, delivered to the home of the family. That is the whole specification.

If you need a meal, ask. People find that the hardest part and it is genuinely the easiest. Tick the box below and I will call you.

If you would rather cook, tick the other one. You will hear from me the next time somebody needs something, and never in between.

Katie Panza
Director, Helping Hands

Other ways to serve

Local Missions  ·  Global Missions  ·  Service Opportunities