Our banquet is little fancier than yours. We put it in the PTA budget from the word "go". We put in 900.00- and go to an area restaurant to have it catered.
We do the setting up- linen tablecloths and centerpieces, and the serving.
We ask K-4 parents to help (5th grade parents sit down for this one). We do ask our parents to pay for their meal- PTA pays for staff (5thgrade and special area only) and students, and the volunteers.Only 8.00 for a restaurant meal. Most are happy to pay. If someone can't afford it- PTA will take care of it. No one is left out.
If a parent wants to bring their own food- they are welcome to do that, too.
It turns out beautifully.
Last year we served 450 people. It was lovely!
This year we anticipate closer to 500.

Thanks for the info Eagleprez! This is an option we hadn't thought of.

Do you have any business partners you can ask for help with this? Or you can ask some area restaurants to donate food items, etc. Our partners help us out quite a bit - one is a bank that places $500. in a fund to be used throughout the year earmarking a set amount for certain events. We also have our cooks order extra food in their budget when possible ()and if needed like when we forget to ask for donations in adavance. LOL) and do lasagne, rolls and salad and have people bring desserts and 2 liters. Hope some of this helps!

Do you have any business partners you can ask for help with this? Or you can ask some area restaurants to donate food items, etc. Our partners help us out quite a bit - one is a bank that places $500. in a fund to be used throughout the year earmarking a set amount for certain events. We also have our cooks order extra food in their budget when possible ()and if needed like when we forget to ask for donations in advance. LOL) and do lasagne, rolls and salad and have people bring desserts and 2 liters. Hope some of this helps!

Every year our PTO supplies the main dish (usually chicken)for the 5th grade end of year Banquet, with request from parents to bring side dishes. Last year only a few parents brought anything. This year we want to try something different, any suggestions???