KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One Kansas City, Missouri, charity is seeing firsthand how sacrifices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for the greater good have consequences. Now it’s asking for help.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City is no longer allowing volunteers inside its facilities in order to limit the risk of exposing the sick kids and families staying there to the novel coronavirus.
But, those volunteers provide food and cook meals for the 80 or so families staying at the charities three houses on Hospital Hill every day.
The organization does not have a budget for meals, it relies solely on volunteers. So without volunteers, it’s scrambling to provide meals to its families.
"It was both a hard decision and an easy decision,” explained Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City CEO Tami Greenberg. “It's a hard decision because people are so caring and so generous and we so rely on our volunteers, specifically for meals every single night in our three houses. It was also an easy decision because it's easy to do the hard thing if it keeps our families safe.”
The charity is collecting financial donations so its staff members can buy food for the families staying there.
The organization plans to buy a variety of individual-style meals families can grab at any time and eat in their private room or wherever they feel comfortable in these times of social distancing.
"You're already a family with a child fighting cancer or a tiny premature baby. That's already the scariest thing ever, and then all these things that are scary and dangerous and real are happening in the community,” Greenberg pointed out. “I honestly can't imagine what those families are going through. We will do all we can to make this experience a safe and healthy one as possible for them."
Greenberg said a $300 donation can feed the families in the charity’s largest home for one day. A donation of $250 would pay for the families in the two other homes.
Visit the charity's websiteto make a donation.
Greenberg anticipates having to keep volunteers out of the facilities until April 15.
