Any Ideas? (meals for kids)

**rissimo** · 08-31-2010, 08:50 PM

I need ya'lls ideas for meals for kids at church. I have been put in charge of the kitchen for cooking meals for our youth "Team" Kid on Sunday nights . I will be feeding roughly 100-150 people. And alot of these kids, this will more than likely be the only meal that they will have eaten that day. Church budget is 200.00 for the month. Here is what I have come up woth so far:

Spaghetti, Salad and Bread
Chicken Nuggets and ????
Sloppy Joes and Tater Tots
Tacos
Mini Corn Dogs and ??????
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Soup
Shepard's Pie
Pancakes and Sausage
Tater Tot Casserole

I still have 2 weeks to try and come uo with ideas and then get everything planned. Thanks in advance. And the ages will be from 5 thru adult.

**NikoSan999** · 08-31-2010, 09:00 PM

Budget $200 month = $50 a week for $150 people...lot of stretching there.

Does anyone have the time to pre-make a pot of soup like beef stew, vegetable, Chili Mac or Potato soup...easy on the budget and goes a long way.

**ladytoysdream** · 08-31-2010, 09:17 PM

WOW....Some serious stretching of the food dollar here.. .

Suggestions and not sure what prices of the ingrediants are...
Goulash
Spaghetti
Stew
Spanish Rice
Pancakes with different toppings.
Grilled cheese sandwiches and maybe tomato soup
Tuna melt sandwiches and a soup
Hot dogs/ buns

Some of these above, I can't think what to finish that meal.

See if there is any farmer's market or farmstand where you can pick up some produce. Maybe even some leftovers or seconds.
Do you have a breadstore local that sells day old bread ?
Ask for money or food donations from the community.
Maybe some grocery stores would help out somehow. Maybe.

**Paws** · 08-31-2010, 10:42 PM

Here are a few ideas...If you shop carefully and make most of everything 'from scratch', it won't break the budget.

~Hamburgers or hot dogs with french fries
~Meatballs...either with rice or on subs
~Nachos or tacos-with a topping bar
~Chili with cornbread or tortilla chips
~Chicken stew-using a 10 lb bag of chicken quarters for under $5.00
~Chicken fingers/strips and camp fire potatoes or french fries
~Homemade belgium waffles or regular waffles
~French toast
~Taco soup with crackers or mexican cornbread
~Hamburger soup/stew with crackers
~Large pans of baked ziti or lasagna-with/without meat
~Chicken fried rice

That's all I'm coming up with tonight...sleepy...
Hope it helps...

**Syn D** · 08-31-2010, 10:51 PM

Frito Pie.. Just chili, frito chips, cheese and onions..

**Palooka** · 09-01-2010, 12:03 AM

Beans and cornbread
potato bar with tossed salad
potato soup/black bean soup/ veggie soup with bread
Macaroni/pasta bake
Tuna noodle casserole
Build your own tostadas
Breakfast food

**rissimo** · 09-01-2010, 06:44 AM

Some really good ideas. Thanks. Yeah the budget is tight. I'm going to go talk to the one of the local grocery stores and see if they will cut me a deal on reduced meats. We have a day old bread store but they have moved 3 times and I don't know where it is now. I will have 4 helpers in the kitchen with things and I was thinking on the soup that I could try and make several "BIG" pots. I could try and make extra and freeze some that way I will have some already made for another time. The total on the amount of people I was given was just a guess. It could be less. I had forgotten all about the frito pie. Thank you guys so much for the ideas, and keep them coming if you can think of anything more. Ya'll are the greatest!!!

**jantana** · 09-01-2010, 08:57 AM

Don't know if you like beans, but Red beans/pinto beans with rice with sausage (sliced thin) with cornbread. We did this for a Sunday dinner at church.

**zakity** · 09-01-2010, 12:27 PM

You could use tvp in chili instead of meat. TVP is way cheaper. And, if you make extra chili, you could easily do chilimac another week by just adding some noodles.

**Josephhgoins** · 09-01-2010, 01:40 PM

what kind of equipment do you have? Is there a resturant style kitchen or just a couple of stoves? Also, how much time do you have to cook it?

I would talk with some of your local resturants too, they may be willing to donate a case of this or that or at least give you a contact at a good resturant supply who could sell to you at a discount.

What ages are they?

**shoiji** · 09-01-2010, 04:50 PM

I would definately ask any restaurants if they would be willing to donate something towards the meal. Explain to them that they will be helping to give someone a meal for the day.

To find the bakery outlet try doing a search for the bakery name and county that you live in. May bring up the site or address for the location.

Definately ask any farmers market or farm stands for produce. At this time of the year there should be an over abundance. Even neighbors with gardens may have something for you.

You can always make chili. Then have a "bar" with different types of fixings so they can make a nacho salad.

Macaroni and cheese is always a good stand by. Plus it can be made a day ahead or frozen.

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

**sunshine** · 09-01-2010, 07:29 PM

homemade pizza? can be meatless if necessary

hamburger roast (browned hamburger in the bottom of a pan, top with mashed potatoes and spritz with melted butter- heat in oven til the top turns slightly brown, then serve with brown gravy) and veggies

SOS's

Chicken and noodles (get the best deal on chicken, boil and debone)

**lisaflex** · 09-01-2010, 08:07 PM

now that is a seriously tight amount for that many kids!!! kids are picky!

i think your best bet would be some type of pasta. mac-n-cheese? pasta w/ sauce (homemade) and some frsh cheeses?

kids are so picky...not sure how the bean/cornbread thing would go over (imo)...maybe the cornbread would....

hamb/hotdog...too expensive on that budget...

i wish i was more help. we have an immediate fam of 40 (too include lots and lots of kids) and my budget is way more than yours is...wishing you luck!

hopefully some grocery stores and restaurants will help you out..

**rissimo** · 09-01-2010, 09:30 PM

This is just a kitchen with 1 stove and 2 refrigerators, nothing fancy. I can prepare things at home on saturday and have ready to be cooked on Sunday, and some things I can even cook at home and then reheat there. I was told that the kids love grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup. And the littler ones love anything that they can dip. Everyone's ideas have been great and I have them all written down and this weekend we will go ahead and try to plan the menu.

The ages range from 5 thru adult. Not only will I be serving the children, but will have the other classes as well as the leaders.

I will definately keep everyone posted on how things go, and if anything else pops in mind please let me know.

It starts on the 12th, but I will not have to prepare anthing for them, they will be getting chicken nuggets from Chick fil A. So I will prepare mine on the 19th.

**brennasmom** · 09-01-2010, 09:41 PM

Salsa chicken (chicken, taco seasoning, & salsa) cooked in crockpot. Add refried beans and sour cream after it is done cooking. We eat it like a dip with tortilla chips. Could really stretch the cost if you made your own refried beans.