Meal Train for Surgery & Recovery | iLunch

Organize meals and rides for someone recovering from surgery or illness. Free sign-up calendar, automatic reminders, and no accounts required for helpers.

Can one person get both meals and rides?

Yes. You can run a meal train and a ride train side by side for the same person — helpers pick whichever way they'd like to pitch in.

What if the recovery timeline changes?

The organizer can add days, remove days, or extend the train at any time, and helpers are notified about anything they've claimed.

Is iLunch free?

Yes. Starting a train, claiming meals or rides, and reminders are all free.

When should meals start after surgery?

Usually the day the patient comes home, or the evening after. The first week home is when cooking is hardest — standing at a stove is often exactly what the discharge instructions forbid. Two to four weeks of support covers most recoveries.

What should helpers know before dropping off a meal?

The train shows the address, the preferred drop-off window, and any dietary notes. Porch drop-off with a quick text is standard for surgery recovery, since the patient may be resting and shouldn't have to come to the door.

How do rides to follow-up appointments work?

The organizer lists each appointment as a ride with a date, time, and destination. Drivers claim rides from the shared calendar and get an automatic email reminder with pickup details before the day.

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