Families arrive at Ronald McDonald House® with whatever they had time to pack. Everything else — the coffee, the laundry soap, the clean towels — is there because donors keep it stocked. Our families never pay for any of it.
Buying items for our wish list means our families have what they need each day.
Breakfast and snack items move fastest — they are easy to grab on the way to the hospital, which is why individually wrapped matters.
Rooms are being cleaned and prepped all day for the next family on the waitlist, so these items are critical in ensuring room turnover happens seamlessly.
When a family packs in a rush, these are the things that often get left at home.
Buy from the Amazon wish list and it ships straight to us — nothing to collect, package, or send.
Bring items to the House at 730 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52246 from 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. There is no requirement to call ahead, although it helps if your donation is bigger than a car load.
Your office, congregation, team or classroom can also collect for items for Ronald McDonald House. Drives work when they are short and specific — one or two items, a set window, and a delivery date.
Call the front desk or email the development team at development@ronaldmcdonaldhouseic.org to learn what items are critically needed.
Groups that identify a few items are usually the most successful. Remind participants that we can only accept new, unused, and unopened items.
It’s helpful for our team to know when to expect your donation. Contact the front desk 319-500-7642 or development department at development@ronaldmcdonaldhouseic.org to arrange your drop off.
The current list is at the top of this page, grouped into food and pantry, cleaning and laundry, and household and bathroom. Everything has to be new, unopened and from a smoke-free home. We also put together a Facebook post each week on items critically needed.
Yes. Order from Amazon or mail it to us at Ronald McDonald House, 730 Hawkins Dr., Iowa City, IA 52246
Not directly. We do not share who is staying with us. What you can do is give to the lists above, which stocks the House and Family Rooms for whoever is using our services that week.
A single gift, or a set amount each month, in about a minute.
Cover the cost of one evening meal at the House.
Run your own event and share the proceeds with us.
Donate your old car and help keep families together.
