Urgh I agree with the others, I get annoyed when people ask me to take my food home... I just want my platter back...

but... on another note...

I am so anti- bring-a-plate when I am hosting something. It is always too difficult to organise and everyone doubles up (regardless of instruction) so I don't bother anymore. I just organise it.
It seems impolite to ask for a donation of cash so we always end up out of pocket... and we're the only ones that ever organise anything. $2 from each person on their crappy packet of chips or biscuits would easily contribute a lot to what the cost is but noone ever thinks!
Sorry, rant LOL!