1.24.2011

Dinner Boxes for March for Life

This morning, 45 of my church members, including my husband and our three teenagers, will be among the 350,000** people marching at March for Life held in Washington D.C.

It's a short but grueling 36-hour trip from Savannah to Washington D.C. and back. Most often, the weather is frigid for the march but each year, over a quarter of million people gather. Because 4 in 10 unintended pregnancies in US are terminated by abortions and our law allows them. And because the unborn must be heard, too.

Thank you WTOC for local TV coverage!

Though my role is small for this IPC annual event by preparing the boxed dinners, I am grateful to know that attendees can enjoy a good meal on their bus trip up to D.C. Here is what and how to pack delicious dinner boxes for a group.


Boxed Dinners for 45

Fried Chicken Sandwich with Shallot-Caper Aioli
Garden Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
Fruit Salad
Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mint Candies

Fruit is prepped two days prior. Here's how. Layer each fruit rather than mixing all the fruit together to keep fresher.


Mustard Vinaigrette and Aioli are made up to four days ahead and stored in 2 oz cups. Condiments and salad dressing are kept separate. This way, the food will be fresh even hours after assembly.


A few mints to keep their breath refreshed.


Chicken breasts are fried and cooled completely before the assembly. Click here for frying tips.


When all the prep work is done, the assembly begins.


This was very basic, low cost boxed dinners but you can really fancy-it up by using beautiful boxes/containers, colored tissue papers & napkins, and more elegant desserts and sandwiches.

Click Here to Print Make-Ahead Tips

Do-Ahead Tips:

A week
or more ahead:
Chicken breast cutlets are pounded, layered with plastic, & frozen Click here for how to prep
Make Cookie Dough and freeze
Fours Days Prior:
Make Salad dressing & Aioli, put in 2 oz containers; store in fridge
Two days Prior: Prep fruit click here for tips;
Bake cookies, cool completely, store in zip lock baggies & refrigerate
One day prior:
Thaw chicken breast in fridge, all containers, utensils, buns if using are ready for assembly
5 Hours prior:
Lay out containers in an assembly line fashion, put any non-perishable items
(utensils, Handi-wipes, etc)
Cut fruit and store fruit individually and temporarily store in fridge
Wash and prep veggies for salad, I used mixed green and cherry tomatoes
Prepare to fry
2.5 Hours Prior: Fry chicken breast and cool completely on wire racks
1.5 Hours prior: You will need 3 sets of quick hands to do this in 1 to 1.5 hours
Begin assembling the boxes, layer fruit, place salad, sandwiches, cookies, utensils, etc.

**Estimated attendance record for 2010

28 comments:

  1. That is really awesome, I am so glad that you are able to attend such a worthwhile cause. The box dinners look great too, something I will keep in mind for our next road trip, rather than the normal sandwiches.

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  2. Fantastic Kay, this is wonderful!! My tummy is rumbling just looking at it :) What a great cause, and way to keep those tummies happy on such a long journey.

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  3. Kay, if you keep this blog up, I think you're going to be followed by 10,000 people on a regular basis. Keep up the great work.

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  4. You are, as always, amazing!! Every year I wish so much that I could go, but with family obligations, it's so hard. Did you know that over 90% of women who discover they are carrying a baby with Down syndrome abort? NINETY PERCENT!! Anyhow, thanks for helping this essential cause!

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  5. I'm drooling over those chicken sandwiches. They look amazing. It is always a challenge to make lunches for large groups of people (especially when they are on the go). I know they are loving all the great food you make them!

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  6. Kay, I love your servants heart! Our marchers will be the best fed ones there no doubt. Thanks for ALL you do for the Kingdom!

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  7. Thank you for sharing this; I praise God's work in you!

    Blessings on your day!

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  8. Thanks for sharing these great tips for picnic suppers! How wonderful to be able to attend the march!

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  9. How very nice! I am glad that you are able to do this.

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  10. You are a constant source of amazement! I see the wonderful items you produce for your church, and then I look at the dismal offerings that mine provides. Seriously, you are the inspiration for me to approach our church and take over the kitchen.

    Blessings to you and your good works!

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  11. Kay - thank you for making the food so delicious and with TLC, and for making it OK for your family to go along.

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  12. Those sandwiches look incredible - I'm so impressed by all the work you put into those boxed lunches!

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  13. Wow!!! This is an AMAZING food for such a good cause! Certainly those people deserve it!
    In Brazil abort is allowed only in few cases, but the numbers of abortions are huge, because we don't have much punishment and people make it, against the law. It's a big discussion here! But I hope you'll be sucessful! I agree with you, unborn must be heard!

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  14. I hope you were able to stay warm during the March. It has been so cold on the East Coast from Mid-Atlantic north! Your box lunches are surely a step up from the traditional ham and cheese sandwich and bag of chips! Wonderful work, Kay!

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  15. What a great way to serve the body of Christ and to serve all those babe's yet to be born! We should all have a heart to cook and serve like you do for Jesus! Tell your kids and husband thanks for braving the elements to represent the body of Christ and it's concern for the unborn!

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  16. Kaye, can I put a link to this on my FB page?

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  17. What a great reason to march! And your lunch boxes are so tasty-looking. Thanks for all the prepping tips. Stay as warm as you can! =)

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  18. Good for you! And that is the best-looking boxed meal I've ever seen.

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  19. The work you do is a "true love of labor"...I have not seen any boxed lunches like yours for any group. It is gourmet deluxe, in a box!
    You are such a Blessing for your church!

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  20. Kay you are one awesome woman. You never cease to amaze me with the volume and creativity in your dishes. I hope you had a safe trip and enjoyed you visit to my hometown!

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  21. Amazing work, Kay!!! I think it is wonderful how you are serving God in this ministry of serving others in your church. I am sure everyone at church is very appreciative of your time and effort xoxo.

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  22. That boxed lunch looks soooo delicious! I love how you added in plenty of healthy stuff between the salad and fruit, while still throwing in the crunchy goodness that is fried chicken. Also, I always love reading your plan-ahead tips! My time management skills leave much to be desired, so it's great to get a few pointers. :)

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  23. Kay, I'm so impressed with your culinary skills. Good box lunches are very, very hard to find. Again, your flock are extremely fortunate! I'm working on spending a week in Savannah sometimes soon and will give you a ring.

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  24. Oh, btw-have fun with Photoshop Lightroom, but your photos look great to me! The clam photo on my per-diem blog are from Half Moon river and can be bought at Smith Bros or Rousseau's. They are delicious and very fresh.

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  25. I loved seeing this post on the March for Life. Thanks for sharing it with your recipes! Everything looks delicious, as usual!

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  26. How wonderful that you do this! I didn't make it to the March this year, but I am planning for next year with our youth group. Your box lunch looks wonderful! I am going to stop at your site more often now! Thanks for all you do!

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  27. God Bless you for your efforts to end this tragedy of abortion. Your group is also blessed to have such a wonderful box lunch to keep their spirit alive for this cause. My husband and I have not been able to attend the walks, but our prayers and thanks to all of you who do.

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  28. Hi! I just found your blog via foodbuzz. All your food looks amazing, I look forward to reading your updates. I love the March for Life - I have been 11 times! We never had lunches like that on out trips : )

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