Meals that Heal dinner
Meals that Heal dinner

Meals That Heal

Gather your friends, family, or co-workers to plan a menu and prepare a comforting meal for our resident families! We provide a fully equipped kitchen—you provide the food and ingredients.

After a long, exhausting day at the hospital, receiving a warm, home-cooked meal gives our guest families one less thing to worry about so they can focus entirely on their child. Whether starting the day with a nourishing breakfast or unwinding with dinner, your group provides a vital sense of comfort and support when it is needed most.

Contact our our Volunteer Manager, Abby Henry, at Abby@RonaldMcDonaldHouseCharleston.org or 843-972-3049

Who Can Participate?

Everyone is welcome! Families, friend groups, corporate teams, university and high school student organizations, churches, and civic groups can all participate by cooking in-person or ordering a catered meal.

  • Family-Friendly: Children are welcome to participate! For safety, all volunteers under 18 years of age must be closely supervised by an adult at all times while on-site.
  • Group Size: Kitchen projects accommodate up to 8 volunteers per shift.
Woman cooking a meal

Cooking at Ronald McDonald House Charleston is a fun, hands-on experience that directly connects you to our mission. Whether sharing a family favorite recipe, a cultural dish, or a classic comfort meal, your time and efforts bring warmth to our House.

Meal Planning & Requirements

  • Where Meals Are Made: All meals must be prepared on-site in our House kitchen or delivered from a commercially licensed restaurant or caterer.
  • Kitchen Amenities: Our kitchen accommodates up to 8 volunteers and is stocked with all standard cookware, pots, pans, and utensils.
  • Recommended Menus: We encourage well-rounded meals (main dish, side, vegetable, and fruit). Beverages and desserts are optional!
  • Paper Goods (Optional Support): While not required, groups are welcome to bring paper plates, disposable cups, and plastic utensils to help supplement House supplies.
  • Food Safety: Frequent handwashing and disposable gloves are required at all times during prep and serving.

Shift Guidelines & Serving Targets

Breakfast & Weekend Brunch

  • Group Limit: Maximum 8 people.
  • Serving Count: Prepare enough food for 25 people.
  • Weekday Breakfast: Served between 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM (Arrival time: 6:30 AM or later).
  • Weekend Brunch: Served between 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM (Arrival time: 8:30 AM or later).

Dinner Groups

  • Group Limit: Maximum 8 people.
  • Serving Count: Prepare enough food for 55 people.
  • Dinner Schedule: Served promptly at 6:00 PM (Arrival time: 3:00 PM or later; prep takes ~2 hours).
  • Service Style: Meals are served buffet-style for 1 to 1.5 hours.
  • Leftovers: Before departing, groups package remaining food into To-Go containers and refrigerate them for guests returning late from hospital bedside care.

Kitchen Clean-Up

Before heading home, groups are asked to clean all cookware and utensils used during prep, wipe down countertops, and load the dishwashers. Once the buffet is set up and the kitchen is clean, your group is free to go!

Prefer to sponsor a meal? You can provide a warm dinner or breakfast without cooking! Partner with your favorite local restaurant to schedule a delivery, or pick up the order and bring it to the House yourself.

Delivery Guidelines

  • Serving Requirements: Meals must serve 25 people for Breakfast or 55 people for Dinner
  • Delivery Times: Schedule deliveries as close to 7:30 AM (Breakfast) or 6:00 PM (Dinner) as possible.
  • Drop-Off Address: 81 Gadsden St., Charleston, SC 29401

Yes! If you are short on time or located out of town, you can sponsor a fully prepared meal for our guest families with a direct financial contribution of $350. Our team will handle the ordering and coordination for you!

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