Fishes and Loaves Service Project The Basics: You buy the ingredients. Kids prepare the freezer meals. Families are blessed with a free, easy-to-cook dinner for times of need. Time: ~1 hour, 30 minutes Prep Work: Collect offering for 3-4 months from the kid's area to go toward buying the ingredients for this service project or use money from a designated missions budget. Choose the freezer-meal recipes you ll make. You can use the kidfriendly ones we have used for our events or come up with your own. Buy the ingredients for the recipes you need. Remember to adjust the numbers for the recipes depending on how many of each meal you ll be making. (Each group of 2-3 children = 3 meals of one recipe) Decide where to host the event. Make sure the venue has 2 areas (one for ingredients and one for meal prep). If you want all of the kids around one table, it should be a large table that seats 15+ people. Make sure you have all of the kitchen supplies needed or ask adults to bring some of theirs. Set up: Lay all of the ingredients and kitchen tools out on one table/counter. (Hint: use a table instead of a counter if possible. Most kitchen counters are too tall for younger kids to see/reach easily.) Cover the other table with plastic tablecloths and set up stations one for each group. If your table isn t big enough, set up multiple tables with 1-2 stations at each. Set large trash cans on each side of the room for easy access and place paper towels in an easily accessible place on the table. Each station should have: 3 Gallon size bags with recipe labels Small trash can to hold gallon bags upright Copies of one recipe (each group completes their own unique recipe, 3 times)
Suggested Schedule: Intro (10 minutes) Kitchen Tools and Rules (10 minutes) Meal Prep (60 minutes) Recap and Pray (10 minutes) Intro (10 minutes) Greet children as they arrive. Once everyone is there, talk about where your meals will be going. For us, that meant foster families and the 111 Project. We talked about what foster families were, asked questions to help kids feel compassion for foster children, and discussed why foster families might appreciate a pre-made meal. We even like to tie in the title of the event Fishes and Loaves and reference the Bible story in John 6 or Matthew 14 when Jesus fed thousands of people with just a few fishes and loaves. The kids may not feed thousands with their freezer meals, but they are still helping someone in need. Kitchen Tools & Rules (10 Minutes) Spend a few minutes going over a few of the more difficult kitchen tools and rules. Ask kids if they can name specific utensils, then explain what some of the difficult ones are used for (like a garlic press or lemon zester). This is also a great time to talk about kitchen safety, i.e., how to carry a knife or pass it to a friend, the importance of washing hands after touching raw chicken, etc.). Divide children into their groups, assign an adult to each group, and then release them to work! Meal Prep (60 minutes) Release kids to prep their meals! Each group should have 1 adult leader, 1 designated prep station, copies of the same recipe, and 3 pre-labeled gallon bags with their recipe on them. When a group finishes one of their bags, put it in the freezer or a cooler for safe-keeping and encourage them to move on to their second bag. Having each group complete and repeat the same recipe helps make tool-sharing more manageable, and the kids grow more comfortable with the tasks required. Include kids in the clean-up of this event too! Let them place bowls, cutting boards, utensils, etc. in the sink and to clear away their station when they re finished.
Recap & Pray (Last 10 minutes) Talk with the kids about their experience and spend time praying over the meals and the families who will receive them. This part is an important one not to skip! Developing a mission-minded worldview requires that kids not only do the service project but also think and talk about how it affects their lives and the lives of others. We always pull the meals back out of the freezer/cooler so kids can visually see what they ve completed and so we can lay hands on the meals as we pray. Discussion Questions: What was your favorite part? What did you learn? What are ways we can serve at home using some of the things we learned today? What are other ways we can serve foster families? Ask for a volunteer(s) to pray over the meals. Bonus: If you made one of the recipes ahead of time, now is a great chance to let kids taste-test what one of their meals would taste like! Kids always like the salsa chicken tacos recipe, especially when provided with some tortilla chips. Recipes included: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos (great for young kids) Apple Pie Pork Chops Roasted Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Veggies Chicken Cacciatore Hearty Beef Stew Cranberry-Mustard Pork (great for young kids) Vegetable Beef Stew Slow Cooker Chicken Chili If you do a Fishes and Loaves service project in your ministry, post a picture on Facebook and tag @deeperkidmin to let us know, or post a pic on Instagram with the hashtag #deeperkidmin.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos Serves 6-8 Ingredients: 1 can green chilies, diced 1 jar salsa (about 12 oz: mild or spicy to taste) 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 whole onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (breasts would work too) Kitchen tools: can opener measuring spoons chopping knives or chop wizard garlic press cutting board Instructions: 1. Place all items into the freezer bag. To Cook (Instructions on label): Frozen: Cook in Crock pot on Low 6-8 hours Serve on taco shells with favorite toppings. Or use as a filling for burritos, tostadas or enchiladas.
Apple Pie Pork chops Serves 4 Ingredients: 4 (1/2-inch thick) pork chops 1/2 teaspoon salt Ground black pepper to taste 6 small or 4 large Granny smith apples - cored and sliced Juice of 1 lemon 4 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground mustard 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 cup chopped onion 3/4 cup apple juice 2 cups chunky applesauce Kitchen tools: Apple slicer Cutting boards Lemon juicer Measuring spoons Measuring cups (for liquids and solids) Knives or chop wizard Instructions: 1. Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper. 2. Cut apple and toss with lemon juice. 3. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, ground mustard, and ground cloves. 4. Place pork chops, apples, spices, and rest of ingredients in the bag. To Cook (Instructions on label): Frozen Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours Thawed Bake in 350 oven 1 hour 10 mins.
Roasted Lemon-Garlic Chicken w/ Veggies Serves 6 Ingredients: 6 tablespoons olive oil 1 lemon, juiced 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley, crushed in your palm 1.5 lb chicken breasts (about 2 1/2 chicken breasts) 1/2 pound trimmed green beans 2 medium red potatoes, diced 1/2 sweet potato, diced 10 baby carrots, cut in half Kitchen tools: measuring spoons lemon juicer garlic press chopping knives or chop wizard cutting board Instructions: 1. In a bowl, combine the oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley to make the marinade. 2. Cut each chicken breasts into 3-4 pieces. 3. Place the chicken, the green beans and other veggies into the freezer bag and pour the marinade over it. To Cook (Instructions on label):. Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Thawed: Cook in 425 degree oven for 30-45 mins until chicken is no longer pink.
Serves 4 Ingredients: 1 lb. chicken breasts 1 jar spaghetti sauce 1 zucchini, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 sweet onion chopped Kitchen tools: Cutting board Knives/chop wizard Chicken Cacciatore Instructions: 1. Cut chicken into strips. 2. Put all the ingredients in a gallon size freezer bag and massage carefully to mix. To Cook (Instructions on label): Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours, then dump it in the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Serve with spaghetti noodles.
Serves 4 Ingredients: 1 package dry onion soup mix 2 cans cream of mushroom soup 8 oz. can tomato sauce 1 lb. beef stew cubes 4 carrots, sliced 4 red potatoes, cubed package frozen green peas Kitchen tools: Cutting board Knives/chop wizard Can opener Hearty Beef Stew Instructions: 1. Put dry onion soup, mushroom soup, and tomato sauce in ziplock bag first. Massage to mix. 2. Add other ingredients and shake to mix. To Cook (Instructions on label): Thaw in the fridge 24 hours, then cook in the crockpot on LOW for 7-10 hours or HIGH for 5-6 hours.
Cranberry-Mustard Pork Serves 4 Ingredients: 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon brown or Dijon mustard 1 diced onion 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice zest and juice of 1 orange One (3-4 pound) pork roast (loin, shoulder, butt) Kitchen tools: Measuring cups Measuring spoons Zester Instructions: 1. Put all items except pork roast into Ziplock bag and mix. 2. Add roast to bag and cover with marinade. To Cook (Instructions on label): Cook time: 8-10 hours in crock pot on LOW Serve with: mashed potatoes or rice, steamed broccoli
Vegetable Beef Stew Serves 6-8 Ingredients: 2 pounds stew meat 1 onion, diced 2 carrots, sliced 2 cups green beans, broke into bite-sized pieces 1 cup sweet corn 2 tablespoons beef stock base (I like Organic Better than Bullion) 1 teaspoon salt 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup apple juice 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Kitchen tools: Cutting board Knives/chop wizard Measuring cups Can opener Measuring spoons Garlic press Instructions: 1. Place all items in Gallon Freezer Bag. 2. Press out the air and seal. Fold the top of the gallon bags over (so that the bag is about half as tall as it is wide) and then lay them flat to freeze. If we lay them out completely flat then they don t fit in a slow cooker once they are frozen. To Cook (Instructions on label): Add 1 1/2 cups of water to slow cooker before cooking Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours on low Serve with: fresh bread or biscuits
Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Serves 6 Ingredients: 1 medium yellow onion (one cup), chopped 15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed 15oz can cannellini beans (white kidney beans), drained and rinsed 14.5oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained 14.5oz can petite diced tomatoes, undrained 1 cup frozen medley of green and red peppers and onion strips 1 2/3 cup frozen corn 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon paprika 3 teaspoons chili powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces Kitchen tools: Cutting board Knives/chop wizard Measuring cups Can opener Measuring spoons Garlic press Instructions: 1. Add all ingredients to your freezer bag. (Add the chicken last so it s the first ingredient dumped in to the slow cooker.) 2. Remove as much air as possible from the bag, seal it, and freeze it for up to three months. To Cook (Instructions on label): When ready to eat, thaw enough to break apart the ingredients and add them to the slow cooker. Cook on low setting for 6-8 hours. Serve with shredded cheese and tortilla chips.
Recipe Labels Printing Instructions Once you ve picked out the recipes you want to use, print the following corresponding pages on Avery 5164 Shipping Labels. Label the gallon bags BEFORE putting ingredients in the bags or the labels do not stick well. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. Matthew 14:19
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos To cook: Cook in Crock pot on Low 6-8 hours. Serve on taco shells with favorite toppings or use as a filling for burritos, tostadas or enchiladas. Ingredients: green chilies, salsa, ground cumin, onion, garlic, raw chicken thighs Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos To cook: Cook in Crock pot on Low 6-8 hours. Serve on taco shells with favorite toppings or use as a filling for burritos, tostadas or enchiladas. Ingredients: green chilies, salsa, ground cumin, onion, garlic, raw chicken thighs Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos To cook: Cook in Crock pot on Low 6-8 hours. Serve on taco shells with favorite toppings or use as a filling for burritos, tostadas or enchiladas. Ingredients: green chilies, salsa, ground cumin, onion, garlic, raw chicken thighs Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos To cook: Cook in Crock pot on Low 6-8 hours. Serve on taco shells with favorite toppings or use as a filling for burritos, tostadas or enchiladas. Ingredients: green chilies, salsa, ground cumin, onion, garlic, raw chicken thighs Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos To cook: Cook in Crock pot on Low 6-8 hours. Serve on taco shells with favorite toppings or use as a filling for burritos, tostadas or enchiladas. Ingredients: green chilies, salsa, ground cumin, onion, garlic, raw chicken thighs Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos To cook: Cook in Crock pot on Low 6-8 hours. Serve on taco shells with favorite toppings or use as a filling for burritos, tostadas or enchiladas. Ingredients: green chilies, salsa, ground cumin, onion, garlic, raw chicken thighs
Apple Pie Pork Chops To cook: Frozen Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours; Thawed Bake in 350 oven 1 hour 10 mins. Ingredients: raw pork chops, salt, pepper, granny smith apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, mustard, ground cloves, onion, apple juice, applesauce Apple Pie Pork Chops To cook: Frozen Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours; Thawed Bake in 350 oven 1 hour 10 mins. Ingredients: raw pork chops, salt, pepper, granny smith apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, mustard, ground cloves, onion, apple juice, applesauce Apple Pie Pork Chops To cook: Frozen Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours; Thawed Bake in 350 oven 1 hour 10 mins. Ingredients: raw pork chops, salt, pepper, granny smith apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, mustard, ground cloves, onion, apple juice, applesauce Apple Pie Pork Chops To cook: Frozen Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours; Thawed Bake in 350 oven 1 hour 10 mins. Ingredients: raw pork chops, salt, pepper, granny smith apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, mustard, ground cloves, onion, apple juice, applesauce Apple Pie Pork Chops To cook: Frozen Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours; Thawed Bake in 350 oven 1 hour 10 mins. Ingredients: raw pork chops, salt, pepper, granny smith apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, mustard, ground cloves, onion, apple juice, applesauce Apple Pie Pork Chops To cook: Frozen Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours; Thawed Bake in 350 oven 1 hour 10 mins. Ingredients: raw pork chops, salt, pepper, granny smith apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, mustard, ground cloves, onion, apple juice, applesauce
Roasted Lemon-Garlic Chicken w/ Veggies To cook: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Thawed: Cook in 425 degree oven for 30-45 mins until chicken is no longer pink. Ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, slat, pepper, dried parsley, raw chicken breast, green beans, red potatoes, sweet potato, carrots Roasted Lemon-Garlic Chicken w/ Veggies To cook: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Thawed: Cook in 425 degree oven for 30-45 mins until chicken is no longer pink. Ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, slat, pepper, dried parsley, raw chicken breast, green beans, red potatoes, sweet potato, carrots Roasted Lemon-Garlic Chicken w/ Veggies To cook: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Thawed: Cook in 425 degree oven for 30-45 mins until chicken is no longer pink. Ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, slat, pepper, dried parsley, raw chicken breast, green beans, red potatoes, sweet potato, carrots Roasted Lemon-Garlic Chicken w/ Veggies To cook: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Thawed: Cook in 425 degree oven for 30-45 mins until chicken is no longer pink. Ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, slat, pepper, dried parsley, raw chicken breast, green beans, red potatoes, sweet potato, carrots Roasted Lemon-Garlic Chicken w/ Veggies To cook: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Thawed: Cook in 425 degree oven for 30-45 mins until chicken is no longer pink. Ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, slat, pepper, dried parsley, raw chicken breast, green beans, red potatoes, sweet potato, carrots Roasted Lemon-Garlic Chicken w/ Veggies To cook: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Thawed: Cook in 425 degree oven for 30-45 mins until chicken is no longer pink. Ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, slat, pepper, dried parsley, raw chicken breast, green beans, red potatoes, sweet potato, carrots
Chicken Cacciatore Serve with Spaghetti noodles. Thawed: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Empty contents into a 9 x 9 or a 9 x 13 baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake in oven 1 hour and 10 mins. Frozen: Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours Ingredients: chicken breasts, spaghetti sauce, zucchini, green bell pepper, onion Chicken Cacciatore Serve with Spaghetti noodles. Thawed: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Empty contents into a 9 x 9 or a 9 x 13 baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake in oven 1 hour and 10 mins. Frozen: Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours Ingredients: chicken breasts, spaghetti sauce, zucchini, green bell pepper, onion Chicken Cacciatore Serve with Spaghetti noodles. Thawed: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Empty contents into a 9 x 9 or a 9 x 13 baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake in oven 1 hour and 10 mins. Frozen: Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours Ingredients: chicken breasts, spaghetti sauce, zucchini, green bell pepper, onion Chicken Cacciatore Serve with Spaghetti noodles. Thawed: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Empty contents into a 9 x 9 or a 9 x 13 baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake in oven 1 hour and 10 mins. Frozen: Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours Ingredients: chicken breasts, spaghetti sauce, zucchini, green bell pepper, onion Chicken Cacciatore Serve with Spaghetti noodles. Thawed: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Empty contents into a 9 x 9 or a 9 x 13 baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake in oven 1 hour and 10 mins. Frozen: Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours Ingredients: chicken breasts, spaghetti sauce, zucchini, green bell pepper, onion Chicken Cacciatore Serve with Spaghetti noodles. Thawed: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Empty contents into a 9 x 9 or a 9 x 13 baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake in oven 1 hour and 10 mins. Frozen: Cook in Crockpot on Low 6-8 hours Ingredients: chicken breasts, spaghetti sauce, zucchini, green bell pepper, onion
Contains Raw Beef Hearty Beef Stew 5-6 hours Ingredients: stew beef, carrots, red potatoes, dry onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, tomato sauce, green peas Contains Raw Beef Hearty Beef Stew 5-6 hours Ingredients: stew beef, carrots, red potatoes, dry onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, tomato sauce, green peas Contains Raw Beef Hearty Beef Stew 5-6 hours Ingredients: stew beef, carrots, red potatoes, dry onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, tomato sauce, green peas Contains Raw Beef Hearty Beef Stew 5-6 hours Ingredients: stew beef, carrots, red potatoes, dry onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, tomato sauce, green peas Contains Raw Beef Hearty Beef Stew 5-6 hours Ingredients: stew beef, carrots, red potatoes, dry onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, tomato sauce, green peas Contains Raw Beef Hearty Beef Stew 5-6 hours Ingredients: stew beef, carrots, red potatoes, dry onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, tomato sauce, green peas
Cranberry-Mustard Pork 5-6 hours. Ingredients: pork roast, cranberries, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, onion, pumpkin pie spice, zest and juice of 1 orange. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice. Cranberry-Mustard Pork 5-6 hours. Ingredients: pork roast, cranberries, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, onion, pumpkin pie spice, zest and juice of 1 orange. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice. Cranberry-Mustard Pork 5-6 hours. Ingredients: pork roast, cranberries, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, onion, pumpkin pie spice, zest and juice of 1 orange. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice. Cranberry-Mustard Pork 5-6 hours. Ingredients: pork roast, cranberries, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, onion, pumpkin pie spice, zest and juice of 1 orange. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice. Cranberry-Mustard Pork 5-6 hours. Ingredients: pork roast, cranberries, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, onion, pumpkin pie spice, zest and juice of 1 orange. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice. Cranberry-Mustard Pork 5-6 hours. Ingredients: pork roast, cranberries, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, onion, pumpkin pie spice, zest and juice of 1 orange. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice.
Vegetable Beef Stew hours on low. Vegetable Beef Stew hours on low. Ingredients: stew meat, onion, carrots, green beans, corn, beef bouillon, salt, garlic, apple juice Worcestershire sauce Ingredients: stew meat, onion, carrots, green beans, corn, beef bouillon, salt, garlic, apple juice Worcestershire sauce Vegetable Beef Stew hours on low. Vegetable Beef Stew hours on low. Ingredients: stew meat, onion, carrots, green beans, corn, beef bouillon, salt, garlic, apple juice Worcestershire sauce Ingredients: stew meat, onion, carrots, green beans, corn, beef bouillon, salt, garlic, apple juice Worcestershire sauce Vegetable Beef Stew hours on low. Vegetable Beef Stew hours on low. Ingredients: stew meat, onion, carrots, green beans, corn, beef bouillon, salt, garlic, apple juice Worcestershire sauce Ingredients: stew meat, onion, carrots, green beans, corn, beef bouillon, salt, garlic, apple juice Worcestershire sauce
Slow Cooker Chicken Chili hours on low. If frozen ingredients do not fit into the crock pot, thaw enough to break apart. Ingredients: onion, black beans, cannellini beans, tomatoes with green chilies, diced tomatoes, green pepper, red pepper, onion, corn, garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, chicken Slow Cooker Chicken Chili hours on low. If frozen ingredients do not fit into the crock pot, thaw enough to break apart. Ingredients: onion, black beans, cannellini beans, tomatoes with green chilies, diced tomatoes, green pepper, red pepper, onion, corn, garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, chicken Slow Cooker Chicken Chili hours on low. If frozen ingredients do not fit into the crock pot, thaw enough to break apart. Ingredients: onion, black beans, cannellini beans, tomatoes with green chilies, diced tomatoes, green pepper, red pepper, onion, corn, garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, chicken Slow Cooker Chicken Chili hours on low. If frozen ingredients do not fit into the crock pot, thaw enough to break apart. Ingredients: onion, black beans, cannellini beans, tomatoes with green chilies, diced tomatoes, green pepper, red pepper, onion, corn, garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, chicken Slow Cooker Chicken Chili hours on low. If frozen ingredients do not fit into the crock pot, thaw enough to break apart. Ingredients: onion, black beans, cannellini beans, tomatoes with green chilies, diced tomatoes, green pepper, red pepper, onion, corn, garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, chicken Slow Cooker Chicken Chili hours on low. If frozen ingredients do not fit into the crock pot, thaw enough to break apart. Ingredients: onion, black beans, cannellini beans, tomatoes with green chilies, diced tomatoes, green pepper, red pepper, onion, corn, garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, chicken