Take the “Pay a Meal Forward” Challenge

My friend Melody sent me a text the other day.

“My friend sent our family a Peking Duck dinner earlier this week. We’d like to pay it forward and do the same for you. Is tonight okay?”

It was perhaps the nicest text I’ve ever gotten. My eyes welled up with tears. After all, we’d had a pretty hard couple of weeks with the death of my father-in-law in the US. The simple act of somebody sending us a meal was an incredible lift — a virtual hug in the days of no hugs allowed. It made the whole family feel loved and cherished.

I grew up in Texas where families always bring food after a death, but things are different here and times are different now. People can’t whip up a homemade meal and then just drop it off. COVID-19 makes that impossible. Which is why this simple act of food delivery meant so very much. And not only did sending the food boost us, but it also supported the local restaurants during the COVID-19 crisis. It was the ultimate in giving back.

And you know what? We decided to pay it forward by sending a meal to our friends who also had a death in their immediate family this week. And you know what? She said she’s planning to pay it forward, too. So I got an idea.

The “Pay a Meal Forward” challenge for you

Do you know somebody who could use a lift? A friend who has also lost someone? A family having a particularly challenging time? If not, how about an organisation that works with the needy? There are so many people in these times that could use support. 

So I challenge you — yup, you sitting right there reading this: help the restaurants and help others at the same time by Paying a Meal Forward. It doesn’t have to be as fancy as Peking Duck. It truly is the thought that counts.

Just choose your favourite restaurant and then do it: Pay a Meal Forward and make somebody feel loved.

And if you are one of the lucky people to get a meal delivered, please share on our Facebook page. Let’s spread some joy, people!

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Melinda Murphy

Melinda does Special Projects for Expat Living which includes pulling together big stories, videos — all sorts of cool stuff. It all builds on her background as a television correspondent, producer and author back in the US. Her life is kind of a special project, too, with two young kids, an old dog, a ridiculous number of volunteer activities — and a very understanding hubby.