A meaningful way to connect while caring for families
Cook + Connect is a daytime group volunteering experience that brings people in our kitchen to prepare nourishing meals for families when they need them most.
Just like Meals from the Heart, this program invites colleagues, friends, and families to connect through shared purpose. Working together, you’ll cook and pack meals in bulk, ready for families to grab and reheat between long hospital visits and late nights.
These meals provide more than sustenance. They offer comfort and one less decision to make during an already overwhelming time.
By taking part in Cook + Connect, you’ll share a meaningful experience and deliver practical care to families when energy, time, and emotional reserves are stretched thin.
When families are juggling hospital appointments, treatments, and long hours at their child’s bedside, mealtimes often fall to the bottom of the priority list.
You’re offering more than just nourishment by stocking our family fridges with ready-to-go, home-style meals; you’re easing the emotional and mental load that comes with caring for an ill or injured child.
It’s one less thing for families to worry about, and one more way they feel supported.
Who Can Participate
Corporate and community groups, clubs and teams, family and friend groups
Group Size
6 to 12 people (aged 12+)*
* We welcome young volunteers, with safety as our top priority:
Thank you for helping us keep the program safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Days and Time
Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Fee/Donation
$1,650 (covers ingredients, professional chef guidance, and staff support)
Menu
Nutritious, home-cooked dishes that can be frozen and enjoyed by families at a later time
Your Cook + Connect experience will begin with a warm welcome and a guided tour of Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney Westmead. After cooking together, your group will have the opportunity to share a meal with families – a chance to connect and see the impact of your generosity firsthand.
Our meal programs are only possible because of the generosity of community and corporate groups. Your involvement directly helps us provide comfort, care, and practical relief to families during one of the most challenging times in their lives.
The booking fee is a tax-deductible donation that helps us reach our goal of increasing meal services by 70%. This growth will allow us to provide at least one nutritious meal per day, not only to families staying at the House, but across the wider Westmead Health Precinct.
Simply register by selecting your preferred date via the calendar below, and we will be in touch. For more information, call (02) 9806 7111, email [email protected], or fill in the enquiry form below.
If your group has participated in the Cook + Connect group volunteering program, we’d love to hear from you! Your feedback will help us improve our programs, enabling us to better support families. You can share your experience by leaving a Google Review or filling in the form below.
