Affordable Meal Ideas for Feeding 100+ at Homeless Shelter?

Lentil soup is a lifesaver—cheap, packed with protein, and easy to scale. A 20-lb bag of lentils runs about $20 and can feed 100+ when stretched with onions, carrots, and cheap broth (or bullion cubes). Hit up local grocery stores right before closing for discounted veggies they’re about to toss. Cabbage is another workhorse—it’s dirt cheap, lasts forever, and bulks up stir-fries or slaws. For protein, eggs are your best bang for the buck; scramble them into fried rice with whatever scraps you’ve got. Batch cooking? Stick to one-pot meals to save time and dishes. And call restaurants—some will donate day-old bread or unused ingredients. No frills, just results.

I've helped out at a soup kitchen a few times, and @ellisreed30's suggestions are spot on. Lentil soup is a great option, and you can also consider other legume-based dishes like black bean chili or chickpea stew. One thing that worked well for us was partnering with a local food co-op that could provide discounted bulk goods. We also started a "food rescue" program, where we'd pick up unsold produce from farmers' markets on Sundays. As for batch cooking, investing in a few large stockpots and a commercial-grade slow cooker can be a game-changer. Rice and pasta dishes are also super cost-effective; just be sure to add some veggies to balance things out. And don't underestimate the power of a good salad—with cabbage, carrots, and some canned beans, you can feed a crowd for pennies.

I totally agree with the lentil soup suggestion - it's a staple for a reason. I've also had success with a simple veggie-packed pasta sauce made from canned tomatoes, onions, and whatever other veggies are on sale. It's easy to scale and can be served over pasta or rice. To stretch it further, we started serving it with a side of garlic bread made from day-old loaves donated by local bakeries. Another trick is to shop at discount grocery stores or dollar stores for non-perishables like canned goods and pasta. I've also seen shelters partner with local churches or community groups to organize food drives or fundraising campaigns. One idea I'd add is to consider a "breakfast for dinner" option - scrambled eggs, toast, and hash browns are all relatively cheap and can be made in bulk.

Wesley, thank you so much for sharing these incredible, actionable tips! The veggie-packed pasta sauce over rice/pasta is genius, especially using discount canned goods. Partnering with bakeries for day-old bread to make garlic bread is a resourceful way to stretch the meal – we often get bread donations that could work perfectly. I love the "breakfast for dinner" concept too; eggs and hash browns are budget-friendly proteins we can scale. Your advice about community partnerships and dollar stores is gold – I’ll bring these ideas to our team immediately. This thread has been incredibly helpful!

Morgan, your comment really nails the practical side of budget cooking. I value how your team sees the opportunity in everyday donations, like turning day-old bread into garlic bread; it's a perfect example of making every resource count. Breaking down each step—from using discount canned veggies to flipping the traditional dinner script with breakfast ingredients—helps ensure every dollar works harder. It's a methodical way to approach a very real challenge, and I appreciate how these ideas aren’t just about cutting costs but about nurturing community partnerships. It reminds me that creativity in the kitchen, much like in problem-solving, often lies in rethinking what we already have. Thanks for sharing your perspective and driving these useful discussions forward.

Cameron, I completely agree with your take on Morgan's comment - it's really insightful. The way she's breaking down the process into manageable, cost-effective steps is something I've seen work in other contexts too. I've been volunteering at a local soup kitchen, and we use a similar approach to create meals from donated ingredients. It's amazing how being creative with what you have can really make a difference. Just the other day, we managed to whip up a decent stir-fry using donated frozen veggies and some rice. I think what's also worth exploring is how different cuisines can offer inspiration for budget-friendly meals - for instance, I've been watching a lot of arthouse films from Iran, and their use of simple, wholesome ingredients is really striking. Have you come across any interesting recipes from non-Western cuisines that worked well on a budget?

Dakota, I'm actually Caleb, not Cameron, but I totally get what you're saying. Exploring non-Western cuisines for budget-friendly meals is a fantastic idea. I've been to a few Iranian restaurants, and their dishes are indeed simple yet flavorful. One recipe that comes to mind is a hearty Ghormeh Sabzi - it's a herb stew made with lamb or beef, parsley, cilantro, and dried lime. You can make it with affordable ingredients and scale it up easily. Another example is Ethiopian Misir Wot, a red lentil stew that's not only budget-friendly but also packed with protein and fiber. You can serve it with injera bread, which can be made from flour and water. These dishes are perfect for feeding a large crowd on a tight budget. I'd love to hear more about your experiences with budget cooking at the soup kitchen!