What is "Meals of Love"?

Meals of Love is an opportunity for individuals and groups to get involved with the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House by providing a home cooked meal for the children and families staying at the House. Our "Meals of Love" dates and sponsoring groups are always posted on our House calendar for our families to see. Groups may prepare meals at the house, or purchase it from a restaurant, bakery, etc. Bring it fully prepared, or ready to heat (just make sure to give us enough time to heat it – dinner is at 6:00pm).

How many people should we prepare for?

Please prepare food for 15 –20 people with a main course, side dishes and desserts. Fresh fruit is always welcome. You may also decide to bring single serve beverages and juice boxes.

However, please note that on any given day there might not be many people at the House during dinnertime, but be assured that our guests appreciate your food. After spending another day at the hospital, knowing that your meal is waiting is a great blessing. Many families also bring leftovers to the hospital the next day.

What types of meals are needed?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner meals are always needed. Additionally, we'd love to have a BBQ, or other special meal. Since holidays are a particularly difficult time for our families, a Meal of Love on or around a holiday would be especially appreciated.

What time is dinner?

If you are cooking at the House, please have dinner ready by 6:00pm. If you are purchasing it from a restaurant, bakery, etc., please deliver by 6:00pm unless other arrangements are made.

More details:

  • If you are cooking dinner at the House, we have cookware at the House for you to use. If you are purchasing dinner from a restaurant, bakery, etc. we ask that you bring the food cooked and in disposable containers.
  • Please bring a roll of paper towels, paper plates and/or plastic ware, the families will use it and not have to spend time washing dishes.
  • By regulation NO ALCOHOL is allowed on the property.

The Manager on duty will help you set up. There is no need for you to stay unless you wish. Afterwards, our Managers store the food and mark it “House” so all of our guests will know it is available for them.

ALL people who will be preparing food at the House need to sign a release form which must only be done once for our files. Anyone under 18 must have a parent sign their form. When you arrive, please ask the Manager on duty where you can sign in. You will need you to write in the TOTAL hours spent on the project (shopping, cooking, delivery, etc.) and number of people who worked on it (please include yourself in that number). This information goes towards our monthly data for volunteers.

Our goal is to provide a “home away from home” for families dealing with the illness of their loved one. On behalf of all of us at The Pasadena Ronald McDonald House, I want to thank you for sharing your time and generosity with our families and guests.

Vicky Garcia, House Manager
Pasadena Ronald McDonald House
(626) 204-0401
vgarcia@pasadenarmh.org

Click here to view the Meals of Love volunteer calendar.
Click here to download the Meals of Love Overview.