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.
Signing up your team
Making a difference is as easy as booking via the calendars below. Select which program suits you or choose both! If this is your first time participating in Meals from the Heart or Baking a Difference please carefully read through our FAQ section on this page.
Meals from the Heart: Tuesdays & Fridays | 4.30pm – 7pm
Baking a Difference: Wednesdays | 10am-1pm
Location: Ronald McDonald House Canberra, Level 2, Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, Hospital Rd, Garran ACT 2906.
Maximum team size: 6
What to expect: Your team will prepare the menu in advance and on the day gather your groceries and arrive to the house. You will be welcomed by our friendly team of staff and volunteers, and work within your team to prepare your menu and ensure the kitchen is returned to its original clean and tidy state at the end of the session. We encourage your team to sit down and enjoy the dinner with the families staying with us during service.
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.
Further information regarding registration, payment, menus and more can be found in our FAQ section below.
If you’re ready to sign up for Meals from the Heart/Baking a Difference sign up now via the calendar links below.
If you have any questions or need support to sign up, please contact us on 02 6281 5894 or email events.canberra@rmhc.org.au. We look forward to welcoming you to the House!
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after I have made a booking using the calendar?
You will receive an automated email confirming your booking with instructions for the day and registration details for members.
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 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.
We provide two payment options depending on the size of your organisation.
$500 for Large organisations
$250 for Small organisations
Payment must be paid prior to your scheduled booking date to participate.
For individuals or community groups that wish to participate in Meals from the Heart there is no payment required.
Please note that all groups are required to bring their own groceries.
After you make your booking of a preferred date and time, please make your donation below (in the section "Payment Information").
What do I need to bring on the day of my booking?
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.
How many people can a group bring?
Meals from the Heart & Baking a Difference are recommended for participants 18 years and older.
We welcome requests for children aged 16 and up to particpate in these programs with aduklt supervision. Please email events.canberra@rmhc.org.au and our team will provide the requirements for under 18 volunteering.
How many people will my group 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.
When and where do I report on the day of my booking?
We are located on Level 2 of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, Hospital Rd, Garran.
Meals from the Heart arrival is from 4.30pm with dinner service at 6.15pm.
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.
What can I cook for the families?
You are welcome to cook/bake to the level your group is comfortable with, whether you are newer to the kitchen or a master chef!
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
Can I bring drinks?
Please note we are a dry house, so no alcohol is allowed.
You may bring drinks such as fruit boxes/poppers, cans of soft drink and bottles of juice.
Can I cancel my booking?
You can cancel your booking online up to 14 days ahead of your scheduled visit.
If you wish to cancel on short notice (14 days before your scheduled visit) we request that you please notify a team member directly by emailing us on events.canberra@rmhc.org.au or by calling us on 02 6281 5894.
For bookings cancelled on short notice your booking payment will be used to provide families at RMHC Canberra a take away meal for the night. Allowing you to still support families when they need it most.
After You Have Made a Booking
Upon confirmation of your booking, you will be sent a registration link for all members of your group to complete which includes our Safeguarding Children and Young People policy.
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.canberra@rmhc.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.
Please process your payment here. All payments will receive a tax receipt. If you require an invoice for your payment, please email events.canberra@rmhc.org.au.
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.
Thank you for your support.
Got questions? Contact us:
Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT & South East NSW
PO Box 635, Mawson, ACT 2607, Australia
Phone: (02) 6281 5894
Email: events.canberra@rmhc.org.au
Ronald McDonald House Charities Australian Capital Territory & South East NSW is a charity registered by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission, and endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) by the Australian Taxation Office. The Charity's ABN is 28 589 286 011 (registered on ACNC as "Canberra and South East NSW House Inc).
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