Recently, our team spent an evening cooking dinner for families staying at Ronald McDonald House Christchurch.

It’s a simple act. Showing up, preparing a meal, and sharing it with people you don’t know, but for the families staying there, it can mean one less thing to think about during a time that is often uncertain and overwhelming.

What is Ronald McDonald House?

Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides free accommodation, meals and support to families whose children are receiving hospital treatment away from home. Each year across New Zealand, they support thousands of families keeping them together and close to their child during one of the hardest things a family can go through.

The Family Dinner Programme is one small but tangible way volunteers can show up for those families. You come in, you cook, you share a meal.

The evening

Our team headed in to cook and serve dinner. The house itself sets a tone it's warm, light, and well looked after. 
The families are there for hard reasons, but the evening didn't feel heavy. When dessert came out, the kids needed absolutely no convincing. Ice cream sundaes have a way of doing that.

Reflecting on the experience, Kaity Mitchell, our Senior People and Culture Business Partner, says,

“I was really moved by the environment and support RMH and their volunteers provide for their families. Helping with something as simple as a meal felt like a small but meaningful way to ease the load for people going through a lot, while also bringing our team together.”

Lee Jansen, our Head of Operations, says,

“For me, the evening was about sharing an authentic moment with people going through an incredibly tough time, and hopefully bringing a little light to their day. That simple human connection can be so powerful”.

How to get involved

If your team is looking for a volunteering opportunity that's hands-on and genuinely impactful, the Family Dinner Programme is worth looking into.

At Enable, we talk a lot about showing up for our community and this is one of the ways we can do exactly that.

Find out more at Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand.