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How to Create a Meal Planning Calendar

Encourage friends, family, and community members to join in on the fun.

In times of celebration, support, or compassion, one of the most meaningful gestures we can extend to others is fueling them with a good meal. Whether it’s supporting a new parent, comforting a friend in need, or rallying around a community during challenging times, organizing a meal train can provide nourishment and a sense of care. To streamline this process and ensure a seamless coordination of efforts, Give InKind has emerged as a powerful tool. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of creating a meal planning calendar using Give InKind–a comprehensive platform that simplifies the logistics and brings communities together. Discover how to harness the potential of Give InKind and embark on a journey of compassion, organization, and culinary support as we explore the art of meal planning calendars, or meal trains. Moreover, encourage friends, family, and community members to join in on the fun.

What is a meal train?

Why do people form them?

hot main and side dishes in foil containers. Takeout meals are a great way for busy people to participate in a meal planning calendar

How do you choose what to contribute with so many different food options? Image courtesy of all recipes.

We have all heard that people occasionally drop off food during challenging times to show love and support. Meal trains are created when individuals have difficult times in their lives. Some of the most common reasons people form meal trains are when someone lost a loved one, is battling cancer, in more recent times fighting COVID, after surgery or a severe injury, and for pregnant individuals on bed rest. But there are also other reasons one may create a meal train too. These other reasons include general support, adoption, military support, job loss, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Meal trains are formed to help these individuals and their families during these difficult times. This allows families to spend time together and support each other without needing to worry about what their next meal will be. 

Understanding Give InKind: Streamlining Meal Train Organization

Give InKind: A Platform for Compassionate Coordination

Give InKind’s platform simplifies the process of organizing and coordinating various acts of kindness, including meal trains. By harnessing the power of technology, Give InKind seamlessly brings together individuals, communities, and organizations to support one another during important life events or in times of need.

Key Features and Benefits

  1. Intuitive Meal Planning Calendar: Give InKind offers an intuitive meal planning calendar interface called the Care Calendar, designed specifically to facilitate the organization of meal trains. The calendar allows users to coordinate meal deliveries efficiently, ensuring that recipients receive the support they need while minimizing overlapping or missed meals.
  2. Seamless Coordination and Communication: With Give InKind, coordinating meal trains becomes a breeze. The platform provides built-in communication tools that allow organizers to communicate with participants, share important updates, dietary restrictions, and delivery details. This streamlined communication helps everyone stay on the same page, eliminating confusion and ensuring a smooth process.
  3. Convenience and Flexibility: Give InKind provides flexibility in meal planning by allowing contributors to sign up for specific dates and meal options based on the recipient’s preferences and needs. It empowers individuals to choose meal delivery dates and specific dishes, ensuring a diverse and personalized menu for the recipient.
  4. Integration with Supportive Services: Give InKind goes beyond meal planning and extends its support to other essential needs as well. Supporters can participate in supportive services, providing grocery delivery, home cleaning, transportation, and fundraising like GoFundMe, Venmo, PayPal, and CashApp. This holistic approach ensures comprehensive support for recipients during their time of need.

By utilizing Give InKind’s platform, organizing a meal train becomes streamlined and collaborative, fostering a sense of community and compassion.

Creating Your Meal Train

delivery person hands a bag of food to a woman at her front door

Meal trains consist of food delivered by friends, community members, or individual food services selected to bring food to your door. It varies from individual to individual. Image courtesy of the ladders.

To get started, create an InKind Page.

Visit Give InKind and select “Start a Page"

Provide essential information about the recipient, like their name, contact details, and any dietary restrictions or preferences they may have. Additionally, it’s crucial to gather this information to ensure that the meals provided align with the recipient’s needs and preferences.

Next, determine the duration of the meal train and set up specific delivery dates for meals. Give InKind offers the Care Calendar which allows you to choose and customize support dates based on the recipient’s requirements. Additionally, specify the types of meals required, such as breakfast, lunch, dinner, or specific dietary considerations (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free).

Invite friends, family, and the broader community to participate in the meal train. Give InKind provides an easy way to invite contributors by sharing a unique link via email, text, or social media. Encourage potential contributors to sign up for specific dates and select their preferred meal options. This ensures a balanced and varied meal schedule for the recipient.

Utilize Give InKind’s Updates tool to keep everyone involved, informed, and engaged. Regularly update contributors through writing, photos, and video. As a result, open channels of communication foster a sense of collaboration and ensure a smooth meal planning experience.

Explore Give InKind’s integration with additional support services to enhance the recipient’s experience. Depending on the recipient’s needs, you can offer options for grocery delivery, household services, transportation assistance, fundraising and more. These services provide comprehensive support and make the meal train even more impactful.

As the meal train progresses, encourage contributors to share their experiences and messages of support. Because of this, you can foster a sense of community and appreciation among all participants.

Uniting Communities Through Food

climbers in silhouette help each other by hand up a mountain

There are times in life where we could all use a helping hand. Image courtesy of NeuGroup.

Organizing a meal train holds immense value in our communities. For example, it provides tangible support and fosters a sense of connection during times of celebration or need. With Give InKind’s innovative platform, creating and managing a meal train becomes not only efficient but also deeply meaningful.

By utilizing Give InKind’s intuitive Care Calendar, seamless coordination and communication tools, and integration with supportive services, individuals and communities can come together to extend their kindness and compassion through the act of sharing a meal. Furthermore, Give InKind empowers us to make a real difference in people’s lives, providing nourishment, comfort, and support when needed most.

As you embark on your Give InKind journey, remember that every contribution has the power to make a positive impact. Through preparing and delivering meals, we not only provide sustenance but also show our love, care, and support.

So, whether it’s celebrating the arrival of a new baby, supporting a friend through a challenging time, or rallying together to assist a community in need–Give InKind offers a platform that brings us closer and strengthens the bonds that hold us together.

Join the Give InKind community today and discover the joy of organizing a meal train. It’s a journey filled with compassion, connection, and the transformative power of a shared meal.


Give InKind does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We have an affiliate relationship with many of the advertisers on our site, and may receive a commission from any products purchased from links in this article. See Terms & Conditions.

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