Prepare a Meal

Calling all Volunteer Groups!

Our families look forward to a home-cooked meal after a long day at the hospital. We are looking for groups, families, churches, or individuals are willing to prepare meals at our Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of Iowa City, or at the Ronald McDonald Family Room at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital (RMFR). At this time, we are not able to host groups into our UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital location due to hospital visitor restrictions.

It is now more convenient than ever to prepare a meal with options for every group.

Prepare a Meal: Bring your group to prepare a meal at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of Iowa City, or at the Ronald McDonald Family Room at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital (RMFR).

Casserole Club: Come in during the day and prepare casseroles for us to provide when we don’t have an evening volunteer meal group. Just like the option above, you pick the casserole, bring the ingredients to one of our locations, and prepare the casseroles on site.

Sponsor a Meal: Would you like to help, but can’t make it in person? Consider sponsoring a meal. Your gift of $250 provides a delicious meal for families to enjoy. Our staff will take care of all the arrangements.

Chef Led Experience: With this option, our chef will take care of planning and preparation. Your group simply immerses in a cooking class with our experienced chef and learn skills you can take home with you. This is a great team building opportunity for your group. This option is only available at the RMH Monday – Friday for a donation of $400.

Interested in providing a meal for our families? Click the button below.

Here's what you need to know:

Dinner is served at 5:30 pm each evening. Your group may arrive as early as needed to prepare. Once the meal is served, our staff will monitor and put away any leftovers for families to enjoy later.
The maximum group size is 8 individuals. Please contact our Volunteer Manager in advance to coordinate based on location.
Please plan to serve enough for 65 people at RMH. Plan to serve 20 at RMFR.
To prepare a meal, volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
Your menu does not need to meet any particular dietary restrictions.
Due to food safety guidelines, we cannot serve food prepared at home. Food must be prepared in a commercial kitchen.
Please email your menu to kitchen@rmhc-eiwi.org prior to your scheduled date.

Where do we park?

Ronald McDonald House, 730 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City.

Parking near the Ronald McDonald House is limited and strictly enforced by the University of Iowa. We have a few designated volunteer parking spots in the RMHC parking lot. If you will be arriving after 4:30 pm or providing a weekend meal, you may park anywhere in the Carver Hawkeye Arena Lot for free.

Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. Luke’s, located within the Helen G. Nassif Center for Women’s and Children’s Health located at 150 11th St. NE in Cedar Rapids.

Free parking is available in the surface lot or parking ramp immediately across the street. Everyone from your group will need to check in at the front desk within the lobby on the main level. Once checked in, you will be able to take the elevator to the second floor where the Family Room is located. Take a left off of the elevator and then take a right at the nurses’ station. The entrance to the Family Room will be on your right where you can check in with the Family Room staff.

Thank you again for your interest in donating your time, effort and talent to cook for our families. Your kindness helps us keep families close to each other and the care they need, when they need it most.

Questions?

Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City: (319) 500-RMHC Option 3

Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. Luke’s: (319) 500-RMHC Option 9

Ronald McDonald Family Room at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital: (319) 500-RMHC Option 8