STEP 1.

invite your guests

Handwritten Invites

Send a handwritten invite to your guests. Check out these options from Target. 

Email Invites

Email can be a great way to get your invites out. Our personal favorite is Paperless Post.

Text Invites

Text may be the most convenient way to communicate. Check out this invite app from Hobnob.

STEP 2.

SETUP THE ENVIRONMENT

The Sights

  • Use the Host Box you were gifted as sweet inspiration
  • Place cards can be a great way to seat people where you would like them seated and easily share names.

The Smells

  • Decide on the "extras" you want to make your Feast truly your Feast. Check out these great Food + Drink Recipes to spice things up.

The Sounds

  • Nothing completes an environment like the right music playing in the background. Setup your own playlist or use our very own Feast Spotify Playlist. 

STEP 3.

AROUND THE TABLE

The Extras

  • Have an icebreaker game or questions ready to go at your table.. Use the Hero, History, Heartbreak, and Hope Game or perhaps the tried and true Superpower or Deserted Island questions that help breakdown barriers for people. 
  • Think about who you want to ask to pray over your meal if it is not going to be you.

The Kiddos

  • Kid Fun Bags will be available. Be. on the lookout for a signup in the WhatsApp group as we get closer to The Feast.
  • If you have a Feast with a lot of kiddos, you can provide creative ways for them to be a part of the evening and help cast the vision for caring for families in need. 

STEP 4.

CAST THE VISION

The Why

  • The vision of the Feast is for us to lavishly love on our families in Forest Park and Fairfield by providing them with a feast of their own for Thanksgiving Day. 
  • We cannot bear the thought of feasting in our homes as others sit down to just another meal of PB+J. 
  • When we invest the way we do into these meals, it turns it from an act of charity into a gift. 

A Reddoorian Feast

  • If you are providing a Feast in your home that is "open" and designed for mostly Red Door people you will want to use "We" language that means Red Door.  
  • "Our Red Door family has provided us with a meal and we are coming together to lavishly love on our neighbors."
  • You are casting vision on behalf of Red Door as a whole church.

A Friends Feast


  • If you are providing a Feast in your home that is "closed" and designed for mostly non Red Door people you will want to use "I" language that means you or your family.  
  • "I have invited you to my home this evening to share a meal with you and I want to invite you to help turn this meal into 8 more meals for hurting and hungry people here in our city so they have an amazing Thanksgiving."
  • You are casting vision on behalf of your family for other families. 

STEP 5.

THE FEAST BAGS

You Are Loved

  • The bags say it all: "LOVEGIVES"
  • Remember, these bag are intended to be gifts, not charity. So the shopping lists are for name brand items that most of us would probably skip at the store.
  • Every bag has a shopping list included.  
  • We estimate the cost of each bag at $40 this year. 

Bag Options

  1. Before: Give your guests the shopping list before your feast and invite them to bring the grocery items to your home for your feast. 
  2. After: Give our the bags and shopping lists the night of your feast and ask people to bring them back, filled, by Sunday morning. 
  3. Cash: As a host you can offer to shop for your guests and they can Venmo, PayPal, or give you cold hard cash for the cost of a bag. 

F.A.Q.S 

What do I do if I have too many bags? 
  • Let everyone know in the What's App Chat

What do I do if I don't have enough bags?
  • Go ahead and purchase the grocery items and reach out to Jenna Laver via text at 937 657 8002 to let her know how many bags you need. 

Can we make additional Food?
  • Yes, this is very much encouraged! Consider having guests sign up to bring a side dish, dessert, or even a drink. 

Is Alcohol allowed? 
  • That's up to you as the host! 

Who do I get ahold of if I need something? 
  •  Please call or text Jenna Laver 937 657 8002 for anything on the day of the event.

What is the average cost to fill a bag?
  • $40

Can I share this on social media?
  • Yes! We would encourage you to do this as well!   Use the hashtags #TheFeast and #WeAreRedDoor

What if I am nervous as the host to give "The Vision" 
  • At times, the person hosting may not be the best person to cast the vision. Feel free to find someone who is coming to your feast and who can be the vision caster for the evening.

WHAT'S NEXT 


  • Download What's App and join our group chat!
  • Start inviting your guests! 
  • Be on the look out in the What's App group for the next steps including another Google Form to fill out.
  • Red Door will provide each host with:
    • The Main Course of Smoked Turkey
    • Kids bags if you want them (More to come on this as we get closer!) 
    • All the details on how to host a great Feast! 
    • The LOVEGIVES bags for your guests to fill

Recipes

FOOD RECIPES
DRINK RECIPES

Feast bag shopping list

Please note that this list is a bit different from previous years' lists.
Fresh Bakery Pie
1 Pie
Your favorite Pie (Not Frozen)
King's Hawaiian Rolls
1 Package
The sweet goodness of the King's Hawaiian Rolls
Stove Top Stuffing
2 Boxes
The "stuff" great Thanksgivings are made of.
Fresh Red Skin Potatoes
1 Bag
Usually around 3 pounds per bag
Heinz Turkey Gravy
1 Jar
What's Thanksgiving without Gravy?
Del Monte French Style Green Beans
2 Cans
Used to make the Green Bean Casserole
Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Can
Used to make the Green Bean Casserole
French's French Fried Onions
1 Box
Used to make the Green Bean Casserole
Del Monte Whole Corn
1 Can
Used to make the Corn Casserole
Del Monte Cream Style Corn
1 Can
Used to make the Corn Casserole
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
1 Box
Used to make the Corn Casserole
Sparkling Juice or Cider
1 Bottle
One of the beautiful extra touches
Fresh Apples or Clementines
1 Bag
These add a nice freshness to the bags!
Daisy Sour Cream
1 Container
1 - 8 Ounce Container for the corn casserole