What sort of foods are helpful to bring to a family in crisis?

Sandwich fixings, fresh milk, bagels, coffee, snacks, etc. are all good.

This is a very kind and gracious gesture.

Welcome to Fluther.

A nice pot of soup or other easy casseroles are nice as well for something warm this time of year.

Making chicken or tuna salad that can be kept for a few days in the fridge with a nice bowl of soup of some sort would be a welcome and lite meal at the end of a long day.

Otherwise, yes, fruits, nuts, coffee, oatmeal cookies or muffins or fruit pies for a quick breakfast would also be helpful

Absolutely. You can either get the sandwich fixings separately and lay them out on trays (sliced turkey, roast beef, cheese, vegetables) and have a basket with sliced breads and rolls. Then have a selection of mayonaise and mustard with spreading knives.

You might want bring one of those large sized “blue ice” squares to set under the cold food tray if the food will be out of the fridge for awhile. You can also go to the grocery store deli and have them make several of those huge sandwiches which they will slice for you. Then have another tray that has sliced fresh veggies (carrots, broccoli, celery and maybe some olives) with a bowl of dip. Have several bowls of potato chips, tortilla chips and mixed nuts. And a big plate full of cookies. Costco is a really good place to get all of this stuff. And if you need plastic bowls, plates and serving platters go to Smart and Final. Then have a cooler with ice filled with bottled water, regular and diet soda, iced tea and juice boxes if there will be any little kids.

Another thing you can add is a crock pot filled with chili or stew or soup. You can get disposable bowls at Smart and Final. Similar to these

You can also have a big bowl of fruit (apples, oranges, bananas) for people to grab.

Make sure to have plenty of paper plates, napkins and plastic utensils. And several bag lined trashcans (and a recycling bin) put in convenient areas. And don’t forget to get extra toilet paper for the bathroom.

How kind of you to think of this.

I would think anything would be helpful, but good, basic food that would be substantial and easy to serve would probably be very welcome, much more so than, say, desserts. Any family member could pick up ready-to-go things such as bread and cold cuts at a grocery store, but no one is going to spend time cooking.

So I’d be thinking in terms of a casserole that practically everybody likes—macaroni and cheese, tuna casserole—that can be reheated in single portions.

Lasagna or any other pasta dish that can easily be heated. A can of coffee, soft drinks, and bottled water that can be taken with them to the hospital.

Welcome to Fluther. You are a good neighbor.

When grandpa died we really appreciated deli trays, veggie platters, chips and dip… all things that visitors could grab and eat as desired. The several lasagnes and casseroles went into the freezer and came out when the perishables were gone and that was such a help not to have to think about cooking for at least a week.
It is a very thoughtful gift and so much more welcomed than flowers.

Things that are filling & simple to build or reheat – sandwich or deli trays are good but I would go for soups & casseroles or lasagna type dishes that will last a while, feed lots of people & are easy to serve/heat.

Thanks, all for your advice! I just took over a variety of things based on your very good recommendations. Your input is much appreciated.