HELOISE: Tips can help out those in mourning

Dear Readers: Recently, a reader said she had received a lot of food after losing a loved one and wished that someone had offered chores instead. Well, my readers came through with some wonderful hints:

Shirley of Rochester, Ill., says: “One thing that would really help a lot of families is for friends to volunteer to house the out-of-town relatives, saving motel expenses. Sometimes families need extra transportation assistance, including picking up relatives at airports, train stations or around town.”

Pat of Munster, Ill., says: “Chances are there is a church or churches in her area with a soup kitchen. They are almost always open to accepting donations. Just last week the kitchen where I work received a donation of a ‘leftover’ graduation party — food enough to feed at least 80 people.”

Pat of Bellville, Texas, says: “The morning of the funeral, the house is full of people trying to get ready, and no one has time to really fix breakfast. So, I bring a breakfast casserole [the one you make the night before] and a fruit bowl the evening before the funeral. I make it in a disposable pan with instructions for baking the next morning.”

Pam of Canton, Ohio, says, “To avoid food overload, we have started to buy gifts cards to a grocery store.”

Thank you, dear readers, for sharing these heart hints. A helping hand, no matter how small or simple, can mean so much. Please continue to write.

Heloise

Dear Readers: Here are some handy reuses for a stand-up photo frame:

Put a favorite holiday or greeting card in it.

Put a recipe card in one when cooking — it won’t get dirty or greasy.

Frame pressed flowers.

Frame concert tickets or movie stubs.

Make a phone list for the baby sitter, put it in a frame and place by the phone.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have conquered the cords in my bathroom. I fold them up and use a very large hair clip to contain them.

Marybeth O’Neil, via e-mail

Dear Readers: How long should food “cool” before freezing it or putting it in the refrigerator? An hour? Until completely cool?

Foods should be placed in the refrigerator as soon as they have cooled slightly. If it’s a large container, put the contents in several smaller ones so they will cool down quicker. Refrigerate leftovers within an hour or two to be safe.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I was doing laundry at the hotel I was staying in, and when I came back to my room, the door was open and the housekeeper was there. I walked in, said hello and dropped off my laundry. The housekeeping staff should not let anyone into the rooms while they are cleaning.

Sharon in Illinois

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate