What to Buy for a Maundy Thursday Service

A Maundy Thursday service often combines worship, communion, and a shared meal, so the shopping list needs to cover both the church and the kitchen. Plan food and tableware around the confirmed attendance, including separate meals for dietary requirements. Bread, toppings, soup, dessert, coffee, tea, and drinks all need serving equipment as well as ingredients. Check refrigerated items close to the service date, and test microphones, speakers, coffee machines, and kettles before volunteers arrive.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Soup bowlsqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 100
Water glassesqty 110
Wine glassesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 110
Serving spoonsqty 12
Soup ladlesqty 10
Serving plattersqty 12

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Mixer
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

Church candlesqty 12
Tealight holdersqty 100
Tea lightsqty 120

Decorations

White table runnersqty 10
White flower arrangementsqty 6
Altar cloth
Cross
Fitted linen

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 12
Foot washing basinsqty 4
Towelsqty 20

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- White and whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Ciabatta - 10 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 1,5 kilogram
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Tomato soup - 18 liters
- Vegetable broth - 12 liters
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Leeks - 2 kilograms
- Celery - 1 kilogram
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Basil - 8 bunches
- Parsley - 6 bunches
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Curry powder - 1 jar
- Potatoes - 15 kilogram
- Rice - 6 kilogram
- Vegetable mix - 10 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 20 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 20 cans
- Coconut milk - 12 cans
- Red lentils - 3 kilograms
- Vegetable burgers - 40 pieces
- Chicken breast - 8 kilogram
- Feta - 2 kilograms
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Egg salad - 10 tubs
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Corn - 10 cans
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Oranges - 6 kilograms
- Easter bread - 6 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 200 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Apple juice - 10 liters
- Orange juice - 10 liters
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Grape juice - 6 bottles
- Mass wine - 3 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 6 pairs

Tips

Buy bread, toppings, soup, dessert, and drinks for the final registered headcount, then add a small buffer of about 5–10% for unexpected guests or larger portions.
Keep vegetarian, vegan, allergy-safe, or other diet meals packed separately and label them before the meal begins. This prevents the wrong dish being served when the buffet gets busy.
Count one dinner plate, soup bowl, dessert plate, coffee cup, water glass, wine glass, and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra for breakages and replacements.
Allow one coffee machine or kettle for each 30–40 guests if coffee and tea are served at the same time. Check extension cords and keep food warmers and refrigerated products ready before setup starts.
Buy church candles, tealights, holders, white table runners, flowers, an altar cloth, and the cross early enough to check the quantities and condition before the liturgical space is arranged.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Maundy Thursday service?: Use the final registration count as your base and add 5–10% for late arrivals or second servings. For a meal with soup, plan about 300 ml of soup per person, plus bread, toppings, dessert, and drinks.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a church supper?: Provide one dinner plate, soup bowl, dessert plate, coffee cup, water glass, wine glass, and cutlery set per attendee. Add at least 10% extra, so 55 place settings are a practical minimum for 50 guests.
When should I buy refrigerated food for Maundy Thursday?: Buy refrigerated products one to two days before the service, according to their use-by dates and storage instructions. Check the quantities again on the day, before the meal is prepared and served.
What equipment should I check before the service?: Test microphones, stands, mixer, speakers, extension cords, coffee machines, kettles, coolers, and food warmers at least one day beforehand. Run a second sound and power check 60–90 minutes before people arrive.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.