Thyme for Dinner
Imagine spending a stressful and worry-filled day at the bedside of a critically-ill loved one. Now imagine returning to your home away from home at night to find a home-cooked and lovingly prepared dinner waiting for you. In the Thyme for Dinner program, individuals and corporations can volunteer to prepare a meal for the families who are staying in the house.
Meals can be as simple as a Sunday brunch or as elaborate as a special occasion feast. We ask that volunteers bring their own food to prepare for our guests. They should also be prepared to cook for, on average, about 25 people. Dinners are usually held between 6 and 7pm but many guests are still with their loved ones so preparing plates for them would be appreciated.
If you are unable to come to The Mark Preece Family House to prepare a meal, you can sponsor a Thyme for Dinner for $250. This donation will be used to help cover the cost of providing a meal to our guests.
Sample Menus
Volunteers are asked to provide their own food for their Thyme for Dinner meals. While meals can be anything, we have provided a few suggestions for menus. These menus will also give you an idea of ingredient quantities.
Lasagna
Lasagna- 4-5 9 x 13 pans lasagna, any flavour
- 2 loaves garlic bread
- Salad (equivalent of 4 heads lettuce)
- Dessert: 2 9 x 13 pans of dessert (i.e. cake, squares)
- 3 – 4 dozen cookies
Roasted Dinners
Roasted Dinners- Meat: 10 oz per person, uncooked weight. (15-20 lbs)
- Poultry: 12 oz per person uncooked weight. (7 small chickens)
- Potatoes: 15 lbs
- 10 lbs roasted veggies, or 2 kg bags frozen
- 2 dozen rolls
- Dessert: 2 9 x 13 pans of dessert (i.e. cake, squares)
- 3 – 4 dozen cookies
BBQ
BBQ- 36 burger patties
- 3 dozen sausage/wieners
- Buns, fixings
- Salad (equivalent of 4 heads lettuce)
- Dessert: 2 9 x 13 pans of dessert (i.e. cake, squares)
- 3 – 4 dozen cookies
Casseroles
Casseroles- i.e. Shepherd’s pie, pasta or noodle casseroles
- 3 – 4 9 x 13 inch pans
- Salad (equivalent of 4 heads lettuce) or 10 lbs roasted veggies
- Dessert: 2 9 x 13 pans of dessert (i.e. cake, squares)
- 3 – 4 dozen cookies
Beef Stew
Beef Stew- Suggested quantities: 8 lbs of beef, 5 onions, 12 carrots, 12 stalks celery, 3 cups each frozen peas and frozen corn
Meatloaf
Meatloaf- 4 large loaf pans meatloaf (8 – 10 lbs meat)
- 15 lbs mashed potatoes
- 2 kg frozen vegetables (peas and corn are popular)
- 6-8 cups gravy
- 2 dozen dinner rolls
- Dessert: 2 9 x 13 pans of dessert (i.e. cake, squares)
- 3 – 4 dozen cookies
In the form below, please provide us with your name, organization, email address, preferred dates, and a proposed menu.
One of our staff will reach out to you to confirm the details and accept payment.
Adopt-A-Day
Another way to support The Mark Preece Family House is to Adopt-A-Day. Share your messages, memorials, or announcements for $500. Check out our page for details.