SASKATOON — Ronald McDonald House Charities is more than just a place for families whose children are being treated in the hospital in the city. Their service of providing a roof and a bed extends to other services and needs.
RMHC supports under-18 kids who require medical treatment and their families when they travel to the city, including at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. At any given time, they support over 30 families who stay at the Saskatoon house, which is located near the corner of Clarence Avenue North and University Drive.
RMHC Saskatchewan Development and Communications Director Karen Linsley told SaskToday that they offer a network of support services that ease the emotional, mental health, financial, and logistical burdens families face during some of the most challenging periods of their lives.
Linsley said food is a big part of what they do at RMHC, where they provide daily meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with the latter in partnership with other organizations.
“It is an environment where families who are going through difficult times can lean on each other and the support. Our meal program also provides lunches for families at the hospital, and our home for dinner program, where outside organizations come to the house three nights a week,” added Linsley.
“They [outside organizations] bring groceries, they prepare the meal, and they serve it to the family, ensuring that they don’t have to worry about food while they stay at the house. All the help will be provided when they need it.”
Ronald McDonald Houses have fully equipped kitchens and offer shared family meals, allowing parents and caregivers to focus on their child’s health rather than worrying about grocery costs or meal planning.
She added that they also have a shuttle program, with volunteer drivers ready to drop families off at their medical appointments, reducing the time they spend finding a parking spot and paying expensive fees, further alleviating the stress of caring for their sick child.
“The parents or adults who accompany their sick family member might be away from their job. That adds to the stress they are feeling. So, we want to take as much of that burden and feeling away for every family staying at the [Saskatoon] house,” said Linsley.
"Families are very grateful to have warm and safe accommodations, as they go through some tough times. We offer a robust food program to families. We have pet and art therapy, reading opportunities for the kids to be part of some of the literacy programmes.”
That is why McDonald’s McCafe’s Coffee that Cares Quilted Puzzle has a fundraising campaign that runs for the entire month of December. The limited-edition puzzle, designed by families from RMH-Canada, tells a heartfelt story of resilience and warmth, highlighting the critical support the charity provides every day. The puzzle is available exclusively as a gift with purchase on keurig.ca.
McCafé At-Home will donate $1 from every product sold, up to $125,000, to support Ronald McDonald House Canada and its mission. Funds raised will help support providing accommodations, meals, and mental health programming for families and enable Ronald McDonald House Canada’s ambition to double its impact by 2030.
