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Meal Makers

Home-cooked meals bring comfort and support to families after a long day at the hospital at our Buffalo House.

After our guest families spend a long day at the hospital, there’s nothing more appreciated than a home-cooked meal. Get together with friends, family, or co-workers to plan a menu and prepare a comforting evening meal for the people staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

The comfort and warmth of a home-cooked meal and conversation with families and community members give the families the extra support they need during some of their most challenging times.

Sign-up to be a Meal Maker at our Buffalo House Today!

How does it work? You have three options!

OPTION 1:

Cook in Ronald McDonald House Kitchen: Meal Makers volunteers work in groups (we suggest 3-5 people) to plan the menu, purchase ingredients, and prepare meals in our fully equipped kitchen. We also have an outdoor grill (seasonal availability).

  • All food MUST be prepared and cooked on-site unless it comes directly from a restaurant, grocer or bakery
  • Meals should serve 15 people and consist of a main dish and at least 2 sides (including protein, carbohydrate, and fruit/vegetable). Beverages and desserts are optional.
  • You will be responsible for supplying all the food/ingredients needed for your meal. Our kitchen is fully equipped with cookware, utensils, serving dishes, and supplies for you to use.
  • Plan to finish the meal by 5 p.m.

If you have questions about the timing, contact Katie Conway.

Pro Tip: Creativity is welcome when planning your menu! If you’re unsure what to cook, you can always check to see if your date is a National Food Holiday and plan around that! Looking for meal inspiration? Check out our Pinterest board!

OPTION 2:

Order a Meal from your favorite local restaurant & have it delivered to the House

OPTION 3:

Mail us a gift certificate to your favorite restaurant that we may use to purchase dinner for the families.

 

Sign-up to be a Meal Maker Today!

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First Name*:

Last Name*:

Email*:

Phone*:

Company / Group name:

Number in group:

Menu and theme you are considering:

Before your scheduled Meal Maker date, please review the guidelines below. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Katie Conway, at 716-883-1177×255 or email [email protected].

How many people should we cook for?

Please plan to prepare a meal for 12–15 guests. You do not need to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Yes. Your group will plan the menu and purchase all ingredients. We encourage you to shop for the best deals. All ingredients must be purchased from a store.  

No. For food safety reasons, all meals—including desserts—must be prepared on site in our kitchen. Please bring all ingredients with you on the day of your visit.

RMHC of WNY can provide limited staples, such as oil, basic seasonings, and spices. Availability of certain items may vary, so please contact the House ahead of time to confirm what is available.  

The ideal prep time is between 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm, so dinner is ready to serve by 5:00 pm.

A RMHC staff member will greet your group, give you a brief tour of the House, and show you the kitchen space before you begin cooking. 

Our kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances, including two ovens. If your meal requires a specific piece of equipment, please let us know in advance. 

Yes. Volunteer aprons, food service gloves, and hair ties are provided by RMHC of WNY. 

To help keep our families safe: 

  • Wash hands thoroughly before handling food 
  • Wear food service gloves (provided) 
  • Pull hair back (hair ties are available if needed) 
  • Prep surfaces will be cleaned before you arrive 
  • Please clean and disinfect all surfaces after meal preparation 

Meals are prepared and presented family style in glass containers provided by RMHC of WNY. We offer both small and large casserole dishes so families can easily see what’s for dinner. Please date and label all containers for leftover purposes.  

Children are welcome to help in safe ways, but anyone under 18 may not use knives or kitchen appliances. Please use caution around the ovens and when handling sharp objects. Children should be supervised by their party at all times.

Make a Difference for Families & Children

Parents don’t know when their children will need medical help. But they should know they can always access the care they need. And with your help, we can support them all throughout their journey.

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