How Will the Food Be Done?

In these craziest of days on college campuses, College Ministers are getting lots of questions they have never gotten before. They come from supervisors, students, parents and college administrators.

One large college ministry contacted their Student Affairs office to get permission to do a large out door welcome event.  They have done many similar events before and have a great working relationship with the school.  HOWEVER, these are not normal days.  The question was asked, "How will the food be done?".

If you do food for any of your events, here are some the questions:

-How will the food be served?

-Who will be cooking the food?

-In what configuration will the students eat?

I am sure that there will be other variations of these questions.  The ministry that had to have permission to conduct the outdoor welcome event on campus had to answer the question satisfactorily before permission was going to be given.  What would your answer be?

Many ministries have Outreach Lunch Programs.  Will those be dis-banded this year?  Are you planning to operate like always in the past?  One ministry that has a long tradition of a well done such Lunch Program shared a unique and good idea.  They will not have a "Yall Come" Lunch Program this year.  Rather, twice a month they will have a Lunch Program where they invite a specific group and get an estimated number from them of how many will attend.  By doing it every other week, they will have time to contact groups and get all the information passed back and forth as needed, plus do follow up from the previous group's attendance.  One week it may be a sorority and the next time the Student Senate or the Physical Therapy Class.

So, "How will the food be done?"  In the past they have had different churches bring the food and serve it.  This fall they will do a Chick Fila box lunch each time.  Since different groups are attending, variety is not an issue.  And, it is prepared by a recognized and acceptable food provider....not to mention one that is liked by students on the whole.  Since, most of the those who come from churches to serve are often older adults, they may not want to come, but they may be willing to contribute to it.  But, they can be invited to help hand out the boxes, if they desire.

Another option:  Would it be possible to prepare the food as you have done in the past?  And, buy take out boxes to dish it into and serve it?  Would that meet the different requirements and concerns?  The rules, requirements and concerns vary from campus to campus and administration to administration.  So, the questions and concerns have to be answered specifically to each place and ministry.

But, if you thought you could not do a Lunch Program...maybe you can....just think some new thoughts about how to do it.  Maybe you thought you could not do that welcome event like you have done in the past with food....maybe you can outside with "Box Lunches".

RANDOM:  I heard a Church College Minister yesterday say that their staff, including the pastor, goes to lunch on campus where students eat once a week.  He said word spreads like crazy when they are there and students especially love seeing the pastor on campus.  Presence and who is present communicates a lot.

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