You’ve likely heard about Ronald McDonald House Charities. But did you know it does more than provide housing to families with seriously ill children? Their Hospitality a la Cart Program has officially arrived at Salem Health. This program will serve Women’s and Children’s Services (WCS) by providing a variety of free items to patients and their families.

Nine volunteers have been using a borrowed cart to serve the Family Birth Center since August 2018. In that time, they have served nearly 2,500 patients and their families. Now that RMHC is making this program official, these volunteers will get a new cart and more support.

Salem Health and RMHC celebrated the rollout of the Hospitality a la Carte program with a ceremony on May 28 in the Mother-Baby Unit.



Director of WCS Lisa Ketchum said, "Our patients and families are so appreciative of the hospitality provided by the RMHC Hospitality Carte Volunteers; they always share smiles, warmth, and comfort along with treats and goodies from the cart."



Volunteers will push the new cart Tuesdays starting at 9 a.m. and Thursdays starting at 2 p.m. Families are welcome to as much as they need at no extra charge. The menu includes a variety of snacks and drinks. The cart also has other essentials like earplugs, toothbrushes, lip balm and coloring books. Salem Health expects the cart to serve hundreds of patients and visitors every month.

If you'd like to donate items or your time, contact Nonnie George at nonnie.george@rmhcoregon.org.