Providing meals to those who are going through a difficult time is one of the most basic and universally understood forms of care. Under any circumstance where meal planning and cooking might prove difficult, meal trains are often considered a godsend.
This is especially true in cases where someone is recovering from a taxing surgery, has lost a loved one or — in the case of Clara Bennett — simply needs a break from making their own food.
The Sheboygan, WI native is no trust fund baby with a personal chef. Instead, she chose the down to Earth route by requesting that her friends and family deliver home-cooked meals free of charge.
"I've been making my own food for what — two, three weeks straight? I just know it's not sustainable. This is a time where I would really appreciate my community rallying around me," said Bennett.
While the 28-year-old previously ordered takeout most nights as a form of self care, Bennett was recently forced to reassess after realizing she was paying a 1000% mark up for a nearby restaurant's grilled cheese sandwich "on the reg."
"I went to the grocery store because I thought it would be healthier to have some cheese with the bottle of wine I was going to drink that night. I even went with the fancy stuff — Colby-Jack," noted Bennett. "I realized that I could make a grilled cheese at home for less than $2 instead of paying an extra $18 at a restaurant for a soggy pickle."
Make no mistake — she does not think the cutback was worth it.
"Yeah, I'm saving $200 per month on grilled cheese sandwiches alone. But is that worth the damage this has all caused to my quality of life? This isn't the American dream I know," said Bennett.
While the American dream typically isn't mentioned in relation to food, it may be worth noting that the James Madison Elementary graduate learned about the concept in second grade through a demonstration involving M&Ms and Diet Coke.
So what does the lovingly tolerated extended family member of 20 want prepared for her — and for how long?
"I know I'm supposed to eat healthily, but I also know that making salads or even just picking up a bag of carrots can be a lot of work, so I don't expect that from them. It would be wrong," clarified Bennett. "I'm thinking more along the lines of lasagna, brownies or just about anything as long as it exists within the beige family."
Yet, there is an understanding as to the workload this puts on Bennett's loved ones, some of whom are elderly or pregnant. They can stop as soon as the weather turns cold — as long as they prep enough beforehand to freeze and thaw over the winter.
"I think it's a good compromise. They have to do a bit of extra work to prepare about 270 meals before the snow falls, but it evens out once you consider that I then have to remove the food from the freezer and heat it up every single day," said Bennett.
It's often the most difficult times that bring people together. Not only will Clara Bennett be receiving much-needed support, but after adding a bunch of loved ones to a Messenger group called "Meal Train Team <3" and immediately removing herself, they will have plenty to bond over.
Photo courtesy of SodanieChea via CC BY 2.0
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