Christmas Dinner challenge!

[onmom]

So, in a few weeks I will be convening a full turkey dinner for our local school. My challenge...to feed 400+ kids and adults for under $1400.

Since this is my first year, I have no idea how $800 of the $1400 from last year was broken down per item...so it is even more of a challenge.

But, thanks to SC, I'm pretty sure I can shave a bit off the budget!! So far, I've picked up coffee on sale, cornstarch with a coupon, cranberries on sale...I have a great start - I only have 22 more items to get, lol!!

[Crochetlady]

Good luck. I`m sure you`ll do a fine job. All this Thanksgiving stuff has made me so hungry for a turkey dinner.

[momgoneawol]

Our school does a turkey dinner and skate every year. Not sure how it all works out but they ask families/business to donate the $ it would cost for a turkey. I think they also get a discount at the local grocery store and the potatoes are usually from a local farm either discounted or free.
I'm sure you'll figure out a way to cover the costs.

[Natalka]

That's a huge job! Someone, somewhere should have the listing of the costs/amounts required to put it on.

[onmom]

The dinner I'm doing is sponsored by the local Optimist club. And the kids get skating as well. It is such a great day for the school. Sadly for some kids in the school, this is the only Christmas dinner they get.

Unfortunately, the small town grocery (and I mean really "small-town") that they have been purchasing the groceries from in the past is pretty tight with their invoices...meaning they won't give them out (drives me crazy!!). So, no way to get a breakdown. I did some pricing today, and think that I will be able to get it down by a couple of hundred at least.

[hollyquaiscer]

You will be fine, thats tons of money to feed them. If you speak to your local grocery you may even have a few of the turkeys donated.

[corbinx]

I would definitely go to all the businesses in town and ask for donations of food or money to bump up the budget. $3 per person is possible but it will be take some work and smart shopping to do a full dinner on budget. Are you helping to cook and serve the food as well? Good luck and enjoy...I'm sure it will be appreciated!

[torontogal12]

Get a letter on school letterhead explaining the situation. When I was in high school I did this for a school event.We asked local restaurants to donate their food, and Metro gave us some food which we then cooked. The restaurants got advertising out of it: they gave us their business cards and we put them next to the buffet. Getting a letter is key, because the donors need proof you're legit for their accounting! Good luck.

[onmom]

Update...last year they spent $1430...this year I spent $1140...saving $290 over last years budget. Not too shabby. There were lots of leftovers, so I'm anticipating that next year will be even less.

Mission accomplished!

[torontogal12]

Good for you. Did you end up getting any donations?

[RedEng]

I've made hotdogs for a school of 600 students, but a whole dinner for 400 people WOW!

Congratulations on your savings and your mission.

When our School does any family night meals, families are asked to bring their own plates, cups and utensils. The main reason is that we try to be a green school, but it is also a large cost savings.

[onmom]

Good for you. Did you end up getting any donations?

No donations. We ended up getting a discount on the buns because the store forgot to order them. But other than that, it was simply purchasing items on sale and using a few coupons.

[onmom]

I've made hotdogs for a school of 600 students, but a whole dinner for 400 people WOW!

I had lots and lots of help, the Optimist are a good group of men and ladies... the fact that they get a lunch out of the deal brings them out in droves to help, lol!

[DianneS]

Congratulations on your successful "huge" undertaking. I'm the children came away with some wonderful Christmas memories, not to mention full tummies!

[coley3]

Wow. That was an amazing undertaking. 400 students. You did great!