Hi!! HELP My neighbor was recently diagnosed with cancer. He is 4th stage Some of us would like to start taking meals to the family, (they are fine with this) on days of chemo and possbly next day too. I need to send out an email to the list of volunteers... any suggestions on how to word it, what to do... anything... please please help us out. we are all in unfamiliar territory!!
thanks soooo much!
Word it just like this email. Be specific, tell them exactly what is going on and what type of help you need. Suggest foods that can be frozen and popped into the oven so if there is a mix up, the meals do not go to waste. Also, let them know what days these meals are needed. Then people can sign up for those days, and some people can bring freezer meals for "anytime". Good luck Rachel
__________________ Military wife, mother of two little monkeys, and a motorcycle mama!
Welcome sarahspencer! I feel for your neighbor, it is a hard thing dealing with cancer and the treatments. The best way is to start is to find out what sort of foods the family likes or can eat if on any kind of special diet. A shelduce of the treatments, as you are thinking the day after will hard on the famliy also. Does this famliy have kids at home and what ages? Are you real close to this family? Hope I can help some.
Disposable containers are easy but I like to use ones that need to be returned because then the family has another reason to be in contact with people who care. There are so many trips to and from treatments and all, that sometimes returning them can be a pain. So you might want to find out what the family wants as far as return or not containers. Maybe a basket on the porch for pickup would work.
Also remember that food stays nicely in a cooler with cold and or hot packs. That might help too to mention coolers packed.
Make sure everything is labeled with a name and phone number if you definitely want it returned.
And find out about freezer room.
__________________
Ellen in PA
"God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of love, power, and a sound mind."
Sarahspencer32 - that is so nice of you to organize this and know the family will appreciate it.
The others have said it well, be frank in your email and have the dinners able to be frozen if needed.
With a 4 yo they may not like some of the dishes that the parents do. Also the chemo may totally change his appetite and taste buds so you might need to ask if this is happening.
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Post Card Angel
Children have never been very good at listening to their parents, but they have never failed to imitate them. Baldwin ~
Military wife, mother of two little monkeys, and a motorcycle mama! 
Ellen in PA 
