Fundraiser food ideas that are cheap to serve

The cheapest fundraiser food from our menu is pulled pork sliders at about $5.35 a guest, and the cheapest bites are bruschetta at about $0.75 a piece and cookies at about $1.13 each. Those numbers come straight from our tray prices. Below are the dishes that feed the most for the least, and how to price a ticket on top. Call (630) 553-9533.

Sliders, about $5.35 a guest

BBQ Pulled Pork is $95 a tray, serves 20. Slider Sandwich Buns are $12 for 24. One of each is $107 for 20 guests: $5.35 a guest. For 100 guests, 6 pork trays and 6 bun trays are $642, or $6.42 a guest. Our pulled pork slider guide has the quantities.

Cheap bites by the piece

The price per piece is the tray price divided by the count on the tray.

• Cocktail Meatballs: $64, 100 pieces, about $0.64 each.
• Bruschetta with Garlic Toast Points: $45, 60 pieces, about $0.75 each.
• Chocolate Drizzled Mini Cream Puffs: $45, 50 count, $0.90 each.
• Rumaki: $64, 60 pieces, about $1.07 each.
• Assorted Home Baked Cookies: $45, 40 count, about $1.13 each.
• Pinwheel Sandwiches: $79, 60 pieces, about $1.32 each.

Three fundraiser formats

• A slider supper. Sliders, Potato Salad at $49 and cookies. Guests eat standing or sitting, and the cost per head stays low.
• A snack-and-silent-auction night. Guests browse and graze. Use cheese, bruschetta, meatballs and a veggie tray. We plan 2 to 3 pieces per guest per hour, so for 60 guests over two hours you need 240 to 360 pieces.
• A dessert sale. Sell cookies or brownies by the piece. For example, if you sold each cookie for $2, a tray of 40 would bring $80 against its $45 cost. That is an example, not a promise of what your crowd will pay.

Setting a ticket price

Add up the food, the plates at $1.50 a person, drinks and 9.25% sales tax, then divide by your guest count. Charge more than that figure so the event raises money. A rough way to do it:

• Food for 100 sliders: $642.
• Plates, napkins and silverware, 100 x $1.50: $150.
• Iced Tea, Punch or Lemonade, 2 x $89: $178 for 100 servings.
• Total $970 before tax, or $9.70 a guest.

With tax it is $1,059.73. Any ticket above about $10.60 covers the food and tax. Delivery is quoted when you order, or pick up at the kitchen in Yorkville.

Tax-exempt groups

Tax-exempt organizations give us their certificate before the invoice, and sales tax is left off. Ask when you request a quote.

Save money on the day

• Order only what the headcount needs. Guest count can go up until the balance is paid, so start modest.
• Use your own plates, if your group has them, and save $1.50 a guest.
• Pick up the trays yourselves at the kitchen in Yorkville.

See fundraisers and galas catering for larger events, or our appetizer prices guide for more tray counts.

Questions

What is the cheapest food to serve at a fundraiser?

Pulled pork sliders at about $5.35 a guest, then simple bites like bruschetta and cookies.

Can a charity get a discount?

We do not list a nonprofit discount. Tax-exempt organizations skip sales tax with a certificate.

How far ahead do I order?

About three days for trays. A staffed event needs 14 days.

Is there a minimum order?

No minimum for trays and platters. Buffets start at 20 guests.