What you need for a church opening

A church opening needs more than chairs and refreshments. Visitors must be able to find the entrance, follow a clear route and use clean, well-lit facilities. This shopping list covers serving supplies, tables, signage, information materials, lighting and cleaning equipment for the building and hall. Check what the church already owns first, then arrange borrowed items and buy replacements at least two to three days before the opening.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Chairsqty 80
Foldable tablesqty 8
Coat racksqty 2
Umbrella binsqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 100
Glassesqty 100
Cake platesqty 100
Teaspoonsqty 100
Forksqty 100
Serving traysqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 3

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Information boardsqty 6
Signage boardsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 8
Guest booksqty 2
Ballpoint pensqty 12
Donation box
Name badgesqty 40

Lighting

Battery lanternsqty 8
LED candlesqty 24

Cleaning

Broomsqty 2
Dustpansqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Toilet brushesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Regular coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee creamer - 2 packs
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Stir sticks - 2 boxes
- Paper napkins - 10 packs
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Jam - 3 jars
- Bread - 8 loaves
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Butter cake - 8 pieces
- Stroopwafels - 10 packs
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Sugar-free cookies - 3 packs
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 1 box

Tips

Plan serving quantities from your visitor estimate: allow two coffee cups, one glass and one cake plate per expected guest, plus at least 10% extra. Include teaspoons, forks and serving trays so volunteers are not washing items during the opening.
Prepare one information point with boards, printed signs, guest books, ballpoint pens, name badges and the donation box. Put spare pens and extra signage together before setup so volunteers do not need to search the building.
Count tables and chairs against the expected visitor flow, not just the seating area. Set aside space for refreshments, information, coats and umbrellas, and keep emergency exits and the visitor route clear.
Check electrical needs before bringing coffee machines, kettles or battery lanterns into position. Take enough extension cords and power strips for the equipment, and test every connection before visitors arrive.
Buy or collect cleaning supplies early enough for a final check on the same day. Keep brooms, dustpans, mops and buckets available for the hall and restrooms, because wet floors and spilled drinks usually appear after setup.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a church opening?: Plan for refreshments, serving items, tables, chairs, coat and umbrella storage, information boards, signs, guest books, pens, name badges, a donation box and cleaning supplies. Add lighting such as battery lanterns or LED candles where visitor areas need extra visibility.
How many cups and glasses do I need for a church opening?: Start with one coffee cup and one glass per expected guest, then add at least 10% extra. If you expect 100 visitors, prepare about 110 cups and 110 glasses, plus enough cake plates, teaspoons and forks for the same group.
When should I prepare the church opening supplies?: Confirm borrowed furniture and equipment at least one week before the opening. Complete shopping and collect missing items two to three days beforehand, leaving the final day for cleaning, testing equipment and arranging signs.
What do I need for church opening signage?: Prepare entrance signs, route signs, information boards and notices for toilets, refreshments and any restricted areas. Print the signs at least two days before opening and bring spare copies, tape or suitable fixing materials, and extra ballpoint pens for the information table.

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