Tuesday food drive to stock pantry at Ronald McDonald hospitality house

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Ronald McDonald House Charities is asking the public to drop off food Tuesday to help replenish their food pantries and kitchens.

The pantries are used by families living at the home while a loved one is receiving care at an area hospital. Donations can be dropped off in the home's driveway or made using an Amazon Wishlist. The Ronald McDonald House Charities will accept essential food items from noon to 4 p.m. at 1323 Cedar Street in northeast Grand Rapids.

The wish list includes easy meals like Kraft macaroni, ramen noodles and soups, rice, canned vegetables, spices, baking chips and dessert mixed.

In July alone, the home served 47 families from 30 different counties, each averaging 14.23 nights per visit, with 1 family having been at the house for more than 215 nights.

Here is more information from a news release:

During their stay, families of hospitalized children rely on RMHCWM for a comforting place to rest and eat. By donating essential food items, you can help ease their burden, allowing them to focus on what truly matters—their child's health. Your generous donations help stock our pantry and keep families nourished with the comforts of home.

Wish List:

• Individually packed shelf-stable snacks: Chips, granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers, mini-muffins, etc.
• Easy meals: Kraft macaroni, ramen noodles, soups, hamburger helper, etc.
• Rice: Plain and mixes
• Pastas: All varieties – 16 or 32 oz. boxes
• Pasta sauces: Red sauce and alfredo, jarred or canned
• Canned vegetables and beans: tomatoes (all varieties), corn, green beans, black beans, etc
• Broths: Beef and chicken
• Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, parsley, oregano, chili powder, cumin, etc.
• Marinades and sauces
• Baking chips: Chocolate, white chocolate, cinnamon
• Dessert mixes: Cakes, brownies, etc.

If you cannot drop off your donations in person, you can still participate by shopping on Amazon and shipping your items directly to the House. Visit our Amazon Wish List at https://a.co/9nk0vfN to find the items we need most.

Please help us spread the word! Share this collection drive with your friends and family, and let’s work together to keep our pantry fully stocked, ensuring that every family staying at RMHCWM has access to the comfort foods they want during their stay.

About the Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan is to keep families together who travel to Grand Rapids when their child is receiving medical or mental health treatment in the hospital. Since 1990, RMHCWM has been serving families throughout Michigan and worldwide. Families live at the House where they have access to a safe, clean, and comfortable room with bath plus hot meals and transportation to and from the hospital, all at no cost to the families. rmhcwm.org

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