1,084
Number of families served in 2023.
$100
The cost to house one family for one night.
17
The average length of stay for families in 2023 is 17 days.
Mission
Enriching the quality of life for children and their families.
Key Services Provided
We offer a place to call home at little to no cost, so that families can stay together. At our two House locations, one inside MercyOne Children’s Hospital and one near Blank Children’s Hospital, families are only steps away from their critically ill children.
Key Audiences Served
We serve families who have children aged 21 years or younger using a medical facility in the Des Moines area. Not only do we serve families from Iowa, but we also provide a home away from home for families from all over the United States and around the world.
Ways to Give
Volunteer: rmhdesmoines.org/get-involved/volunteer
Donate wish list items: rmhdesmoines.org/get-involved/wishlist
Make a donation or become a recurring donor: donate.rmhdesmoines.org/give/498106
Attend an event: rmhdesmoines.org/events
Donate your unwanted car: cartober.com/RonaldMcDonald
HouseCharitiesofCentralIowa
What are the most immediate needs to support your organization?
Like everyone else, the pandemic has presented many challenges. One of our greatest challenges and immediate needs is our Meal Program. Local community businesses have long been tremendous supporters of our meal program by giving employees Volunteer Time Off to come and prepare a hot meal for the over 6,000 families we serve each year. We recognize these companies each night for providing a meal while fostering a culture of serving others. The pandemic made volunteering difficult for everyone and getting meals into the hands of families with children receiving critical medical care throughout the Des Moines area was still a top priority. We began a “Carry-Out” meal program to help get nourishment to families in our area hospitals. This Carry-Out program is a need that will continue as we have served over 8,000 meals since its inception. You can help fulfill this immediate need by coming to the House and preparing a meal, sending a meal to feed 25 people from a local restaurant, purchase individually wrapped food items for our sacked lunch program or purchase gift cards for Hy-Vee and Fareway to purchase dinners from their kitchen to serve families.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President - Terry Nielsen
President-elect - Jonathan Musser
Secretary - Tracy Whitaker
Treasurer - Ty Doggett
Past-president - Paul Pick
Nick Callison
Andrea Chase
Sue Emich
Jason Evans
Dr. Kyle Hickman
Jon Hummel
Kris Martins
Tim Moore
Jed Pedersen
Dr. Matt Petty
David Roberts
Lisa Soifer
Andrew Strube
Steve Walsh
Ty Weis
Alec Wilcox
Kevin Wosmansky