Good easy meal to feed 50?

[my3guys]

My sons and I (with some help) are preparing and cooking a meal for a local charity that assists struggling veterans.

I need a simple meal idea that would be 1 pot with a protein, veggie, and starch. We need to feed 50 on a relatively small budget so it can't be too extravagant.

The idea is to keep the kids involved with chopping veggies etc.

Any of your favorite recipes come to mind oh fabulous SOAK?

Oh, and I'm trying to stay away from Italian food because most of their donated food is Italian and I'd like to give them a break.

[hedgehog]

Shepard's pie, or some variation on that idea? Meat and veggies of any sort covered with mashed potatoes would be good.

A pot pie? Again, any type of meat and veggies, top it with a crust.

Paella? Chicken and rice?

[Macabre]

I'll ask DH. Our church regularly prepares a meal for this size for a homeless shelter. I know we had some standard recipes.

[becca]

When dd went to a shelter to serve meals, we sent two huge pots of soup.  One was chicken noodle, the other minestrone, which I made.  I don't have it anymore, but they'd recommended quantities of items to buy, but it was actually too much for the pot they gave me.  I also googled and found that there are recipes out there for feeding a large group. 

[becca]

Beef stew, chili with cornbread?  Chicken a la king with either rice, crusty bread or orzo.  Taco bar?  Or Fajitas.  Just do the meat and set out big bowls of toppings and tortillas.  Mac and cheese or baked potatoes with toppings and salad.

[my3guys]

Thanks becca, mac, and Hedgie. Good ideas! I need to get cranking on this!!