Nourishing Both Body and Soul

“The meals prepared by volunteers nourished our souls in the way only food prepared with love can,” said the mother of a child receiving medical care at Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis.

RMHC knows that caring for families throughout their child’s healthcare journey extends far beyond just providing a place to stay. It also means they receive the wrap-around services they need – including nutritious meals to soothe their minds, bodies, and souls. While mealtime might look a little different around the world, this service helps families recharge mentally and physically, all within a nurturing community.

For example, in Minneapolis, RMHC Upper Midwest provides three meals per day to families – accommodating their needs and schedules – and delivering roughly 3,000 varied and nutritious meals each week. The Chapter’s “Fresh FamFare” meal team is dedicated to developing partnerships with local food manufacturers and distributors, food service suppliers, caterers and more, to keep families nourished and supported all day long.

Meanwhile in Louisville, Kentucky, renowned Chef James leads a program called “Meals from the Heart” to ensure warm meals are available to families every day.

“Chef James has transformed dinnertime,” said April Sage, RMHC Kentuckiana Communications Manager. “We now have a wide variety of healthy cuisines served nightly, with kid-friendly options, too! Best yet, our volunteers are even more engaged with our staff and families thanks to these new, more structured mealtimes.”

And families served by RMHC Spain also enjoyed an elevated culinary experience when the head chef at the world-famous El Cellar de Can Roca, a three-Michelin Star restaurant in Giorna, Spain, was a guest at the House while his son was being treated nearby.

Chef César Calfa Collet wanted to give back to the organization that has given him so much. While staying at the House, he infuses mealtime with his culinary gifts, and teaches other families and staff how to prepare nutritious meals. One of his family-friendly recipes is the delicious vegetarian fusilli with fresh, farm-to-table mushrooms and asparagus. Taste it for yourself by following Chef César’s recipe here!

Whether through innovative staff-led programs, the talents of a world-class chef, or the generosity of a grateful parent, RMHC continues to expand what care looks like for families to help promote healing and to strengthen the whole family all along their healthcare journey.

Bookmark rmhc.org/Our History for monthly stories of RMHC impact since 1974.