Meals from the Heart & Baking a Difference
When a child is in hospital, the days can be exhausting and emotionally challenging for families.
Meals from the Heart & Baking a Difference provides families staying at Ronald McDonald House Canberra with delicious and nutritious meals and treats, giving them a night off from cooking dinner and making their day a little sweeter.
We invite your corporate and/or community group to support families at Ronald McDonald House through this volunteer experience.
A meaningful, team-building experience that demonstrates your organisation’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, encourages staff engagement and boosts team morale.
Sign Up your team today
Meals from the Heart
Bring your team together to prepare a nourishing home-cooked meal, giving families one less thing to worry about and a comforting moment of normality during their child’s healthcare journey.
Baking a Difference
Turn time in the kitchen into meaningful support by baking homemade treats that bring comfort, care and a little brightness to families when they need it most.
The Big Breaky
Start the day by preparing a hearty breakfast for families, offering practical support and the comfort of a home-cooked meal so they can focus on what matters most - their child.
When
Dinner - Tues & Fridays | 4pm -7pm
Baking - Wednesdays | 10am -1pm
Breakfast - Sundays | 8am -10am
Location
Ronald McDonald House,
Centenary Hospital, Lvl 2, Build 11,
Hospital Rd,Garran ACT 2906.
Parking
Free parking is available on the Canberra Hospital campus and surrounding streets.
Team Size
Our standard group size is 6 people. Please speak to our team if wanting to book for 6+ people.
Impact
Investment
We are a not-for-profit organisation that relies solely on donations and community support. Corporate groups are required to make a payment to secure your booking, payment for community groups is an optional donation.
Your generous support helps cover the cost of running this program; including equipment upkeep, volunteer training, staffing, and providing nourishing meals to families via our Mobile Meals from the Heart Program on nights we don’t have groups in,
For more information please see our FAQ section below oe contact us at events.act@ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.au or call (02) 6281 5894.
We look forward to welcoming your team to cook from the heart for families.
Health & Safety
Our main priority is to always keep our families and yourselves safe and healthy. It is a requirement for all members to register prior to coming in for your Meals from the Heart and/or Baking a Difference session and follow the direction of our friendly staff and volunteers when you arrive.
We kindly ask that you do not visit the house if you are unwell. Anyone experiencing symptoms on the day will be turned away for the health and safety of families staying with us.
If you need to cancel or reschedule your booking please contact us at events.act@ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.au or on (02) 6281 5894.
Payment Information
Payment is required to secure your spot for all corporate organisations, payment for community groups is optional.
Your generous support helps cover the cost of running this program; including equipment upkeep, volunteer training, staffing, and providing nourishing meals to families via our Mobile Meals from the Heart Program on nights we don’t have groups in.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have booked online, what happens next?
You will receive an automated email confirming your booking with instructions for the day and registration details for members.
What will my team be cooking?
You set the menu and your team is welcome to cook/bake to the level you are comfortable with.
For Meals from the Heart please be prepared to cook 2-3 main meals, 1-2 side dishes and a dessert.
Our kitchen will have most things you need to prepare your meal. We have two microwaves, two ovens with separate grills, as well as two large induction cooktops.
Please note we are a dry house, so no alcohol is allowed.
Our team will reach out to confirm your menu in advance of your booking date.
Meals from the Heart menu suggestions
- Mains: Roasts, pasta, pizza, hamburgers, tacos, curries, casseroles, proteins (chicken, beef, lamb, tofu)…
- Side dishes: Salads, mash potatoes, vegetables, fries, skewers…
- Desserts: Pavlova, chocolate, fruit salad, pudding, cupcakes, trifle…
Please note: soup is not very popular with our families.
Baking a Difference menu suggestions
- Cookies, Brownies, biscuits, cakes, cupcakes, pies & pastries
- Savory baked items
Please reach our team if you need assistance with planning your menu.
How many people will my team be cooking for?
You can expect to be cooking for about 20-25 people, supporting families in both our Ronald McDonald House & Ronald McDonald Family Room.
However, closer to your scheduled visit, we can discuss details such as the menu and approximate catering numbers, so you are able your groceries accordingly.
Please note we are a dry house, so no alcohol is allowed.
Our team will reach out to confirm your menu in advance of your booking date.
Meals from the Heart menu suggestions
- Mains: Roasts, pasta, pizza, hamburgers, tacos, curries, casseroles, proteins (chicken, beef, lamb, tofu)…
- Side dishes: Salads, mash potatoes, vegetables, fries, skewers…
- Desserts: Pavlova, chocolate, fruit salad, pudding, cupcakes, trifle…
Please note: soup is not very popular with our families.
Baking a Difference menu suggestions
- Cookies, Brownies, biscuits, cakes, cupcakes, pies & pastries
- Savory baked items
Please reach our team if you need assistance with planning your menu.
What do I need to bring on the day of my booking?
What to bring:
We provide the kitchen and the utensils, as well as aprons, hair nets and masks.
Your team will organise the menu suitable for the families staying at the house and will purchase the fresh ingredients (you can bring these on the day or have them delivered directly to the house).
You will then visit the House, prepare the meal and sit down and enjoy dinner with the families staying with us.
Where to go on the day:
We are located on Level 2 of the Centenary Hospital, Hospital Rd, Garran.
Meals from the Heart arrival is from 4.00pm with dinner service at 6.15pm. Post dinner your team will assit in packing down the kitchen and are welcome to join the families for dinner.
Baking a Difference arrival from 10am.
Once you arrive, our friendly staff and volunteers will sign you in and show you the ropes.
If you need assistance bringing in the groceries our team can meet you with a trolly at the entrance to building 11, please call us on 02 6281 5894 to arrange.
Do I need to bring drinks & is alcohol allowed?
Please note we are a dry house, so no alcohol is allowed.
It is optional if you would like to bring drinks for your session. Recommended beverages can include fruit boxes/poppers, cans of soft drink, juices or you are welcome to make mocktails.
Why is there a cost to take part?
We are a not-for-profit organisation that relies solely on donations and community support. As financial support is vital for us to continue to provide this support for families, payment of $500 is required to secure your spot in our Meals from the Heart Volunteering Program for all Corporate Organisations.
Your generous support helps cover the cost of running this program; including equipment upkeep, volunteer training, staffing, and of course keeping our doors open to more families than ever before.
Payment must be paid prior to your scheduled booking date to participate.
For individuals or community groups that wish to participate payment is an optional donation.
Please note that all groups are required to bring their own groceries.
Payments are to be made via the "Payment Infortmation" section below or directly to RMHC ACT & SE NSW. Payments are tax deductable.
