Due to COVID-19, there are currently two ways you can help provide meals for families: volunteering on-site to make a meal or donating a catered meal.
Choose a location to get started
Families staying at a Ronald McDonald House are often far from the comforts of home, including freshly prepared meals. Through Meals from the Heart, volunteers provide meals for families, allowing them to eat together without the stress of cooking or the expense of dining out.
Whether you’re looking for a teambuilding activity for colleagues or a fun way to give back with friends, Meals from the Heart is a great way to give families a taste of home.
Please be sure to review the FAQ for all the details, rules, and requirements for participating in Meals from the Heart.
| Meals from the Heart * | Culinary Hearts ** | ||||
| House | RMH near Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital | RMH near Advocate Children’s Hospital | RMH near Loyola University Medical Center | RMH near UChicago Comer Children’s Hospital | RMH near Lurie Children’s |
| Address | 0N1250 Winfield Rd. Winfield, IL 60190 | 4410 W. 93rd St. Oak Lawn, IL 60453 | 1 Airmail Rd. Hines, IL 60141 | 5444 S. Drexel Ave. Chicago, IL 60615 | 211 E. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 |
| Volunteer Group Size | Up to 5 volunteers | Up to 5 volunteers | Up to 5 volunteers | Up to 5 volunteers | Up to 8 volunteers |
| Brunch Shift | None | None | None | Prepare meals for 20 Sat. – Sun. 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. |
None |
| Lunch Shift | None | None | None | None | Prepare meals for 35 Sun. – Fri. 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
| Dinner Shift | Prepare meals for 10 Sun. – Fri. 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. |
Prepare meals for 20 Daily 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. |
Prepare meals for 25 Daily 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. |
Prepare meals for 20 Daily 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. |
None |
| Calendar | Select a date at CDH | Select a date at Advocate | Select a date at Comer | Select a date at Lurie | |
*Meals from the Heart: Volunteers handle the meal planning and preparation from start to finish. Volunteers create their menu, purchase all necessary ingredients, and cook their meal in our fully-equipped kitchens.
**Culinary Hearts: Volunteers provide a financial donation and our culinary team plans the menu, purchases the ingredients, and leads the volunteers to create delicious meals for families.
Culinary Hearts at RMH near Lurie Children’s
Donation for Culinary Hearts support the ongoing success of the program and ensure our House can offer families 14 diverse meals each week. Groups receive a link to donate via credit card once a volunteer date is confirmed.
- A gift of $400 provides lunch
- A gift of $600 provides dinner
- A gift of $400 provides Saturday brunch
If your group is unable to volunteer on your reserved date, we will make every effort to reschedule your group for a future date. If you need to cancel, no refunds will be issued, but your financial contribution will still support Culinary Hearts and provide meals to families.
Meals from the Heart at RMH Family Rooms
At our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms,donors purchase catered meals from local restaurants to help families who are staying in the hospital.
| Family Room | Family Room in Comer Children’s Hospital | Family Room in Lurie Children’s Hospital | Family Room in Edward Hospital |
| Address | 5721 S. Maryland Ave. Chicago, IL 60637 |
255 E. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 |
801 S Washington St. Naperville, IL 60540 |
| Lunch Shift | Prepare meals for 50 Mon. – Fri. noon meal drop-off |
Prepare meals for 20 Mon. – Fri. 11:30 a.m. meal drop-off |
Prepare meals for 25 Mon. or Wed. 11:30 a.m. meal drop-off |
| Dinner Shift | Prepare meals for 60 Mon. – Fri. 6:00 p.m. meal drop-off |
None | None |
| Calendar | Select a date |