We usually feed the staff for appreciation week and right before our holiday break (Dec) and the PTO board makes the food. One or two of us go shopping at Sam's and then we divide the cooking and chopping up amongst all of us. The staff knows all of us and we tell them who made what so that they are comfortable with eating it. We usually don't have a whole lot of cooking, we try to make it simple but sweet.

Scott Mom
In this instance, yes, this mom who fixed 99% of the food will get reimbursed (we have this luncheon as an item in our budget). She spends hundreds on buying ingredients but she still did it cheaper than catering. Now, for example, another mom made muffins for this luncheon. She most likely will not ask to be reimbursed but the mom who spent a fortune and was the chairman WILL be reimbursed.
Katherine C.

Hey Scott's Mom, you've hit a topic very close to my heart! We feed our teachers and staff at least four times a year if not more. Our PTO votes on a main dish and budget for it and ask for parents' support with items such as condimants and soda. I would LOVE to ask the parents for more but I have have to run to the store too many times for the parent that forgot and the ones that don't even show!

Now we have several vegetarians and others with relgious food issues (did I say that right?) so I feel more comfortable telling everyone the PTO is prepairing the main dish and they all know that means me! Communication is key here!

Catering for $600???? You need to shop around if it comes down to having it catered!

whoever makes it pays for it no reimbursment is made. And we have one lady that brings 4 shrimp platters so I am sure there is some money going out. The only thing the pto provides is plates, cups, napkins and silverware.

For those of you that have a member make the meals, does this person pay for the food or does your group? Where I'm going is does the group inevitably pay for the food?

Well, as a matter of fact I helped out at the Teacher BAck-to-school luncheon today that our PTO puts on for our teachers the day before school starts. One of our moms is a very talented and willing chef (not prof.) and she prepared a delicious meal for 60 staff members. It was served at the school. Our teachers were extremely grateful. No one would dream of telling us it needed to be catered--it's sort of like kicking a gift-horse in the mouth, as they say. They should be happy someone is willing to do something nice for them.
Katherine