Growing up in a close-knit southern church, I had the notion that a casserole could heal just about anything. Solutions to all of life’s problems were found in food. If someone was sick, bake up macaroni and cheese or a pot of chicken and dumplings. Having a baby? Time for a chicken casserole. And when there was a death, the best recipes were dug out. Now I understand it’s not about the food. The act of taking food to someone in crisis shows compassion and love in a practical way.
Unfortunately, sometimes our efforts to help make for more trouble for the receivers—like when my family was busily caring for my dad and was given bushels and bushels of apples to preserve. Not helpful. Here are some tips for being truly helpful:
1.Forget about the environment this once. Use disposable dishes (or dishes you do not want back) to make cleanup easy.
2.Keep it simple. Now’s not the time to experiment with new recipes. Make a previously successful dish. Simple dishes are comforting and take the stress out of the experience for you.
3. Add instructions. With the confusion of a crisis, instructions can get forgotten or lost. If the dish can be frozen and baked later, reheated, or has other special instructions, write specific directions on a card and tape to the container.
4.Don’t add drama. Avoid common allergens. Peanuts and other nuts are best left out.
5.Know your food safety tips. Keep cold things cold and hot things hot. No family in crisis needs food poisoning!
6. Don’t cook if you can’t. Families in crisis need more than home-cooked food. Gift cards for takeout are always useful. Buy quick-to-grab snacks or bottled water and canned drinks.
7. Think outside the box. Save the family shopping time by picking up big box items such as toilet paper, paper towels, and disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
8. Aim for the sweet tooth. A pound cake makes for a perfect dessert. My mother’s recipe has comforted dozens of families:
POUND CAKE
3½ sticks of butter
2 cups sugar
6 eggs
3 cups cake flower
2 teaspoons vanilla
Cream 3½ sticks of butter with 2 cups of sugar until fluffy. Beat in 6 eggs, one at a time. Gradually fold in 3 cups cake flour. (White Lily Plain Flour is the best!) Add 2 teaspoons of real vanilla. Pour into greased bundt pan. Bake at 325° for 1 hour 20 minutes. Optional: add 1 cup pecans, 2 cups chocolate chips, and 1 cup coconut.
Go for comfort. Comfort food is always welcomed. Try this simple chicken recipe:
SIMPLE CHICKEN
1 store-bought, roasted chicken
1 small sweet onion
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
16 ounces sour cream
2 or 3 cups grated cheese
Ritz crackers
Debone and chop a store-bought, roasted chicken. Chop one small sweet onion. Add to chicken. Stir in 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, 16 ounces of sour cream, and 2 or 3 cups of grated cheese. Pour into greased casserole dish. (Can be frozen at this point). Top with crumbled wheat Ritz crackers. Bake at 375 degrees until bubbly, about 30 minutes.
Knowing what to say when a family is in crisis can be challenging. Here are some tips to make things go more smoothly:
Make it snappy. This is not a time to catch up on all the latest news. A quick delivery will be appreciated!
When you don’t know what to say, say nothing. Hugs speak more than words. Listening is appreciated and will prevent you from saying the wrong thing.
Scope out the scene. Instead of asking what you can do for them, notice other needs that you can fulfill later.
Call or text to make sure it is a convenient time for your visit.
Remember why you are there: to show God’s love by being helpful.
Ask permission before sharing any details about the situation with others.
Pray before you reach out to others. Then, pray with the people in crisis because prayer is a source of encouragement. Continue to pray until the crisis is resolved. Prayer is one of the most powerful ways to have an impact on others.
A casserole on its own doesn’t say much. But brought with a motivation of love, a casserole becomes an instrument of compassion.
Deb Douglas, wife, mom, and Southern woman, serves in Bossier City, Louisiana, where she joins her passion for cooking with her passion for showing God’s love in practical ways.
.jpg)
Growing up in a close-knit southern church, I had the notion that a casserole could heal just about anything. Solutions to all of life’s problems were found in food. If someone was sick, bake up macaroni and cheese or a pot of chicken and dumplings. Having a baby? Time for a chicken casserole. And when there was a death, the best recipes were dug out. Now I understand it’s not about the food. The act of taking food to someone in crisis shows compassion and love in a practical way.
