Food for Friends in Need

Ever had a friend show up with dinner or a treat when you’re having a tough time? It’s just about the nicest feeling in the world. It’s not just the food—although that’s wonderful— it’s your friend’s presence, steadying you during changes, saying, “I’ve got you.” We all go through times when our community is like a safety net that catches us when we’re off balance.
Want to bring someone a meal to show you care? Here’s where to start.
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.
Do a little investigating, if you can.
Through the recipient or someone close to them, find out what kinds of foods they enjoy and get the lowdown on any dietary restrictions. A few other questions can be helpful as well:
- When would it be most helpful to have food (days and meals)?
- How many people will be eating?
- What have you been craving?
- What foods are off limits right now?
- What time is best for drop-off?
- What delivery method would be easiest? (Sometimes leaving it at the door in a cooler or with a caregiver/relative is better than having the recipient feel obligated to invite you inside.)
Cook it yourself—or don’t.
If cooking isn’t your thing or time is tight, send a restaurant or food delivery gift certificate. A gift card to a restaurant or a bag of snacks and grocery staples is very often just the thing to get your friend through a trying time. Households often need to replenish milk, bread, coffee, soft drinks, cereal, and paper goods.
Get cooking.
If you’re ready to cook, stick to a recipe you’re comfortable making that most people enjoy. We have three tried and true favorites below that are sure to please a variety of tastes.
Use a pan you don’t need back.
Use aluminum pans or inexpensive plastic food storage containers so there won’t be dishes to return. Include disposable serving ware—plates or bowls, napkins, cutlery—to cut down on cleanup time.
Or…take the meal in your best casserole pan or on a pretty plate. Attach a note that says you’ll stop by to pick it up. It’s an easy way to check back in and see how your friend is doing.
Bring it ready to go or ready to freeze.
If possible, deliver your meal ready to serve or reheat, with instructions added on an attached tag or card. Or make two smaller portions: one for now and one that can be frozen and reheated later.
Brighten the offering.
We used giftwrap to quickly and easily brighten up our disposable pans:
- Trace the lid on wrapping paper and attach with a little double-sided tape.
- Make a band with a strip of folded wrapping paper and tape around the container.
- Add a note with any reheating/freezing instructions and a bow.
Don’t linger.
If you do go in when you drop off food, don’t stay long. Visitors can cause stress at busy times. Just leave your goodies and let the caregivers do the rest.
Organize ongoing help.
Some situations call for more than one meal delivery from friends and loved ones.
Coordinating a group to bring meals for someone? Gather a list of church, school, organizations, and friends who might be interested in joining in, then send a link to a meal scheduling site via email or social media. (Some organizers even think to collect email addresses at a baby shower to make setting up meals for new parents even faster.) Here are four websites that take the fuss out organizing:
- Meal Train: All the basics you need for coordinating meals and set up a schedule for meals plus errands and other tasks.
- Take Them a Meal: Makes meal scheduling easy and allows participants to search by name.
- Give in Kind: Offers meal and help scheduling, as well a variety of other gifts.
Ever had a friend show up with dinner or a treat when you’re having a tough time? It’s just about the nicest feeling in the world. It’s not just the food—although that’s wonderful— it’s your friend’s presence, steadying you during changes, saying, “I’ve got you.” We all go through times when our community is like a safety net that catches us when we’re off balance.
Favorite Meal Ideas to Bring to a Friend in Need
There are lots of comforting and easy meals that you bring to a grieving friend or a family with a new baby. Here are a couple of our favorites.

Classic Chicken Parmesan
Classic Chicken Parmesan is one of those dishes that seems fancy but really isn’t hard to make. Thin, crispy chicken cutlets in tomato sauce and cheese…it’s all the best comfort foods in one delicious dish. Add a loaf of French bread and open a bag salad, and dinner is ready for any friend in need.

Easy enchiladas
Beef, bean, and baby spinach enchiladas are crowd-pleasing favorites—easy to make, easy to freeze and easy to eat. If you’re putting together a dinner to deliver to somebody else, these easy enchiladas are perfect. Complete the meal with some additional goodies like chips, guacamole and a six-pack of Mexican beer.

Comforting Mac & Cheese
This simple mac and cheese with vegetables gives everyone’s favorite comfort food a delicious update with mushrooms, peas, and a crispy panko topping.
Shop Sympathy
See all-
Regular price $31.99
-
Regular price $4.99
-
Regular price $25.99
-
Regular price $5.59
-
Regular price $5.99
-
Regular price $2.99
-
Regular price $9.99
-
Regular price $16.99
You may also like
See more-
Mother's Day A Mother’s Day card as amazing as she is
If you're looking for a card that stops Mom in her tracks on her big day, look no further—this Signature Paper Wonder...
-
Quinceañera What is a Quinceañera?
So you’re celebrating a quinceañera! A quinceañera is a big deal for a young woman in Latino culture. It’s not only a...
-
Christmas The history of Christmas and the many ways and reasons we celebrate
Christmas feels timeless and unchanging as a season of celebration, sacredness, connection, gratitude and giving. Y...
-
Calendar Flip Woo-Hoo—summer’s here! June 2025 holidays and celebrations
Summer is here in all her glory and we are ready. Warm days and cool drinks lay ahead. So it’s time to flip the ca...
-
Calendar Flip Yay for May! May 2025 holidays and celebrations
Flowers are blooming, students are graduating and moms are getting some well-deserved appreciation. What a fabulou...
-
Gift Wrapping How to wrap a present: a step-by-step guide with pictures!
In theory, we all know how to wrap a present. You get some wrapping paper, fold it around a box, tape the paper—in...
-
Mother's Day The mother lode of Mother’s Day gift ideas
It’s only natural to want to give the right gift to show the moms in your life how much they mean to you on Mother’s ...
-
Calendar Flip Welcome back, spring! April 2025 holidays and celebrations
Oh, spring, we’ve missed you most of all. We don’t even care that you bring showers—we’re just excited to be outsi...
-
Christmas It’s week two of the 2025 Dream Book SNEAK PEEK!
These Dream Book sneak peeks feel like picking up and shaking Christmas presents as a kid.
What will be in it? Will...
-
Christmas 2025 Keepsake Ornament Sneak Peek: Father Christmas
The Father Christmas Keepsake Ornament is back for its 22nd year in the series! And if this sneak peek is any indicat...
-
Christmas 2025 Keepsake Ornament Sneak Peek: Making Memories
When it comes to cute Christmas classics, there's nothing better than a rolly polly snowman. Unless it's TWO rolly po...
-
Keepsake Ornament Club 10+ ideas and recipes for throwing a Keepsake Ornament party
If you’re anything like us (and we’re pretty sure you are!) then you know ornaments aren’t just a Christmas thing. Wh...
-
Christmas 2025 Keepsake Ornament Sneak Peek: There’s snow business like this one!
A Keepsake Ornament that captures the magic of decked out department store windows during the holiday season? We love...
-
Christmas 2025 Keepsake Ornament Sneak Peek: A stunning tabletop figurine filled with magic
When it comes to inspiring wonder, nothing beats the intricacy of Keepsake Ornaments tabletop figurines. Their light,...
-
Christmas Your first 2025 Dream Book SNEAK PEEK is here!
The debut of the 2025 Dream Book is still a couple months away, but we just can't resist giving you a glimpse of all ...
-
Easter Easter basket ideas for all ages: DIY decorations, gifts and more
Excited to get hopping on those Easter baskets? We love to see it. And we love to inspire it, too! So we’ve put toget...
-
Valentine's Day So many ways to share love with little ones!
From incredibly snuggly, singing plush, to kissing cows, backpack clips and more, we've got everything you need to sh...
-
Easter Quack some smiles this Easter
There's nothing cuter than a fluffy, dancing duck in a spring pastel neck scarf. Well, wait. Actually there IS someth...
-
Kids 50+ unique Tooth Fairy ideas to bring the smiles
Few moments are more magical than your child’s very first wiggly tooth. Sometimes it comes with excitement (what will...
-
Encouragement Simple ways to include children in caregiving
For many people, illness, injury, disability and other reasons for extended care or end-of-life transitioning are jus...