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Thank you all.

I disagree about a lot of the candy items mentioned here.
I, for one, LOVE the fun-sized (or mini, if you prefer) candies. It's a tiny bit of something insanely tasty, enough to give pleasure without causing tummy pains. When I was a young'un and I went trick-or-treating, one house gave out mini Clark bars. Yum-o-delish! I polished those off first.
I think the chewy peanut butter kisses taste absolutely divine.
Candy corn, I think is plenty of tasty, as are the candy pumpkins made of candy-corn base. Think little dollops of hardened cake-frosting.
As for apples and raisins, those I didn't mind in the least.

However, some items, I do agree about.
Toothbrushes -- a boring reminder
Religious pamphlets -- disappointing and WEIRD to boot.
Packages of "normal" food -- oh, for crying in Manhattan, what kid wants to receive a can of baked beans or a box of oat bran in his little plastic jack-o-lantern.
One time I received cough drops -- and not the Ludens or Pine Bros or Smith Bros or F&Fs, which are tasty and could pass as hard candy (as can the Ricolas). These were nasty little green pellets that were -- and tasted like -- MEDICATION. Like I said, for crying in Manhattan! For crying in Manhattan, Chicago, and San Francisco

Oh well. At least I didn't get a ROCK

my mom and dad died in a car wreck when i was 16, i remember lots of meals but for some reason the sweets, the homeade pies and homeade ice cream seemed to comfort me the most.

A bit costly, but maybe two co-workers can go in on this:

Roast a whole beef filet (or half if the family's kind of smallish). Deliver with a big bag of assorted hard rolls, a potato or pasta salad, and fresh fruit or really interesting bottled juices. Add a sumptuous homemade apple cake or pie and/or some good coffee. Also think of breakfast and visiting relatives- assorted muffins or coffeecakes are also practical.

Roast can be sliced for sandwiches or whatever. The suggestions to bring paper products are also good.

This is one I've made frequently - a chicken and corn stew. It's a nice change from lasagna, but still freezes well if that's appropriate. I'd suggest skipping the "corn wafers" and sending some corn bread or muffins to go with the stew.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chicken-and-Corn-Stew-with-Corn-Wafers-12315

Aren't the "pan-fried pork and chive dumplings" under the chicken feet, usually made with shrimp, rather than pork? I've never had pork in one of those. Lovely photos, though!

When I was in a similar situation, we were usually given whatever the family that sent the food was also having for dinner that night. And usually it was one of that family's "favorites".

There was something really nice and connecting about that aspect of sharing the same meal. I got to eat a lot of delicious homemade, "crafted-with-love" type meals that I'd never had before, or were kind of different from what my family made, in some way. Kind of made us feel like we were part of a big family.

Once, someone even delivered a "taco night" in a box... all the ingredients prepared and ready to be assembled. That was really fun.

So, my suggestion is to consider making something that would be a special meal for yourself/your family, and then make a double batch, and send that over.

My sympathies to you and your community.

Is there a better dim sum restaurant in Flushing than Ocean Jewel?

how were the MSG levels?

Awesome photos! Ocean Jewel is my favorite dim sum place in New York. I think the "strips of stuffed squash with a pureed pork filling" might actually be medium-hot chile peppers stuffed with fish paste.

Definitely not 350 for the oven.

Now that's what I'm talking about! What a great idea. I love it. And Jimmy0x52, thanks for the tip on soaking them over night. That's a smashing good idea. ;-)

Baking Pumpkin seeds is one of of my favorite childhood memories with my mom.