Meals in a Pinch

Harpswell Aging at Home Delivers!

HAH’s Meals in a Pinch (MIP) program brings together the generosity of our community to provide home cooked meals to some of our neighbors because everybody needs a hand every now and then.  Whether an ongoing need or temporary support, HAH’s MIP team delivers!

Meals in a Pinch runs every other Tuesday and provides a combination of four fresh and frozen meals to some of our Harpswell neighbors for a variety of reasons. Some are not able to consistently prepare meals because of health, ability, or mobility; others have difficulty obtaining food for practical or financial reasons. There is no income qualification–only a recognition that we all need some support at times. Emergency meals can even be provided on the same day if necessary.

Cook for Meals in a Pinch

Interested in volunteering to join our merry band of cooks – here’s how it works:

• Cook regularly (every two weeks) or now and then.
• Make dishes that have broad appeal. They don’t have to be gourmet or fancy.
• You only have to make part of a meal, like a soup, biscuits, dessert, a vegetable, or a protein.
• HAH can cover your ingredient costs.
• Need a way to get your food to the program? We can pick it up from you.

If you decide to volunteer – here’s a bit more detail on what to expect.  

Sign up to cook for Meals in a Pinch using Sign-Up Genius or contact Julie Moulton directly at [email protected] or by text or call 207-330-5416.

While every other Tuesday is THE day that more than 200 meals are delivered to nearly 50 homes, the HAH volunteers who work this magic are in constant motion. Here’s a Snapshot of how it all comes together.

First Things First

• Cooks from every corner of Harpswell sign up online logging the dish they will prepare providing a list of all ingredients.
• Labels listing ingredients are created for each and every dish.
• Promised contributions are monitored to ensure the week’s volume and special dietary requirements will be met.
• If tweaks are needed, food from HAH’s food freezers is utilized to supplement the week’s volunteer offerings.

Prepping Preparation

• Packing supplies are assembled.
• The work site at Great Island Church of the Nazarene is readied for action!

Always Something New

• The recipient list is in constant flux. Calls to “regulars” or new recipients are made to understand food preferences as needed.
• Drivers and packers are contacted to ensure all staffing needs will be covered.
• Delivery routes are organized and shared with drivers.

Monday – One Day to Go

• Volunteers, in kitchens all over Harpswell, begin cooking their MIP contribution.
• Food from MCHPP is picked up and delivered to the Nazarene Church.
• Some of this food gets cooked for Tuesday, some is given to volunteers for later use. 

Tuesday – This is it

• Packers head out, some picking up donations on their way and head to ground zero.
• Informational flyers, drawings from children or thoughtful notes from other Harpswell volunteers placed in delivery bags.
• Food is joyfully accepted as cooks drop off their offerings. 
• Meals are labeled to ensure awareness of dietary needs.
• The packers function as a well-oiled machine, working efficiently… and with great camaraderie.
• Food from freezers is arranged in coolers. Each recipient will receive two fresh and two frozen meals.
• Packers pack up the personalized bags – noting recipient specific needs or preferences. 
• Drivers arrive, cars are loaded and off they go. 
• Smiles and hellos abound as friends deliver meals to friends.
• The remaining food is inventoried and placed in one of HAH’s three freezers for future/emergency use.
• Recycling, composting and trash is delivered to the recycling center.
• Operations site is scrubbed clean.

And then – it starts all over again!

This is community at it’s best!