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Back to School Teacher Meal Ideas?

16 years 3 months ago #144477 by Sherra Scott
I do off site admin work for a caterer, and depending on how many teachers (I'm guessing about 30), then $500 is a lot for a boxed lunch. You could absolutely do something just as nice (if not nicer) on less than half the budget by picking up deli meat, nice bread, small packages of chips, fresh fruit, cookies and condiments at Wal-Mart, Sam's, Costco, etc.
16 years 3 months ago #144463 by treadway
Replied by treadway on topic RE: Back to School Teacher Meal Ideas?
We were on a tight budget this year and did not have the time to make a back to school breakfast with only a small group involved over the summer. I checked with the local churches to see if they would be interested in the catoring job. Not only did they do the catoring for a wonderful breakfast they also did all the decorations and mini gifts for the teachers. The fee met our budget and the church raised money for their program. We also picked up new volunteers for the school!
16 years 3 months ago #144449 by treadway
Replied by treadway on topic RE: Back to School Teacher Meal Ideas?
make it a cultural event and ask parents to bring a dish that represents their culture.
16 years 3 months ago #144447 by treadway
Replied by treadway on topic RE: Back to School Teacher Meal Ideas?
Last year, we decided to have a teacher dinner during teacher conferences. The teachers hardly had any time before to run out to eat, so we made sure we had something nice for them. We purchased nice linens and set up in the cafeteria w/ our new tablecloth, dimed the lights, light candles and had Mums set up on the tables, for door prizes. I made a huge batch of homemade chicken & noodles, had fresh garden corn, and about 20+ donations of desserts & salads. Other PTO members did garlic bread, mash potatoes and more! The teachers were beyond pleased. We had so many volunteers wanting to help feed our great teachers, we had to turn some away! We also had York Peppermint Patties at each of the place settings to kill the bad breath due to conferences after the dinner! Yes, we had table set waiting for them, along w/ serving their drinks for them, they didnt' know what to do!

For the day teachers came back to school after Christmas break, we had a nice breakfast buffet for them. We had sausage, turkey sausage, hash brown casseroles, egg casserole and a few other items, along w/ OJ and coffee. Again, teachers RAVED at the attention we gave them. We again had center pieces of Poinsettias (got them dirt cheap) and used the linens and had mints at their place setting.

For appreciation week in May, we had a full luncheon buffet w/ chicken lasagna and Italian lasagna. Two of us made all the lasagnas and the other PTO member did garlic bread, huge salad bar w/ all the fixings and we had about 15 donations of desserts. Once again, we had so many wanting to donate desserts, we had to turn several away. Again, had the place settings and linens and had Extra Gum w/ a quote attached saying "Thanks for going the Extra mile". Had pretty potted plants to give away too for centerpieces and had so many business donations for the year, we raffled those off while everyone had their dessert!

At the end of the year, to feed 55 teachers for the conference dinner, then 70 for the breakfast and 73 for the luncheon, we spent roughly $300 on ALL 3 meals to feed 198 people!!! The year before, they had lunch catered in for close to $1,000 just for 1 luncheon! Teachers did NOT miss the fancy catering what so ever. They loved our spreads and it was a neat recipe swap btwn everyone too! It was great and all our food was made with L-O-V-E and the teachers knew it and very much appreciated it! If you aren't a perfect cook, not a big deal, just go with something easy for the main course and reply upon other PTO members and volunteers to fill in for everything else! It was great seeing that many people wanting to help and we're just a small little rural community!

What we did was send out a little flyer several weeks in advance telling about the conference dinner, how the teachers have a short time to eat, and you will be VERY surprised how many can donate something, whether it be a pie, something homemade or a quick salad! The desserts were the best and everyone was fighting over our chocolate fountain a Mom donated for the hour w/ a huge tray of things to dunk under the warm, melted chocolate!

Good Luck!
16 years 3 months ago #144442 by treadway
Replied by treadway on topic RE: Back to School Teacher Meal Ideas?
We have a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon on Report Card Pick Up days and have had a combination of catered/donated dishes. Many parents have a favorite recipe that they love to donate; others don't have time and will donate money (usually people donate between $ and $20) towards the cost of catering, beverages or paper goods. We've found that salads, desserts, and drinks are the easiest dishes to ask for. We usually collect a couple hundred dollars and that more than covers the cost of a few hot dishes and supplies.

No one else has mentioned this, but we include all the office and maintenance/engineering staff in the luncheon, too. Remember, these people work very hard, and can be terrific allies in helping out with your events throughout the year.

I've never heard anyone complain about the quality or selection of food. They seem to be most appreciative to receive a free, hot meal.
16 years 3 months ago #144354 by KJMOM
Do You Have Any Membership Drive Ideas You Would Like To Share I Need Them I Am The New Pto President We Need A Membership Drive Really Bad
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