NC offers food for the soul at Ronald McDonald House

A team of staff and student volunteers from the Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division recently joined forces and helped raise spirits on a Saturday at Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton.

On November 2, a group from Benchmark, the School of Culinary Arts, and School of Hospitality and Tourism (Esthetician program) visited Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario to treat guests to a buffet dinner and spa experience — from ‘soul-warming’ soup, and a delectable dessert bar, to stress-relieving hand massages.

While the College has donated meals to Ronald McDonald House Charities through its Feed the Community program in recent years, the ‘full day takeover’ on November 2 brought NC staff and volunteers on site to offer spa treatments and dinner.

“Our families are going through some of the most challenging times in their lives. What Niagara College students and instructors did on November 2, was take care of the caregivers for a day,” said Mario DeDivitiis, Chief Executive Officer, Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario. “Food is more than food, when it provides families comfort during a difficult time.”

“We are grateful to work with Niagara College in support of our families,” said DeDivitiis.”With nearly 40 percent of our families coming from Niagara, this is powerful support.”

Culinary efforts were led by four of the College’s Academic Chefs, including Avi Hollo, Oscar Turchi, Catherine O’Donnell and Michael Olson, along with the support of Benchmark Chef Justin Downes, who all pitched in and led a team of students to help with the event.

Professor Susan Paone led Esthetician volunteers in delivering spa service, while Victor Oliveira’s team- including a Hospitality student and Benchmark student-employee – assisted with service, ensuring that guests had clean and tidy tables for dining and the support they needed to enjoy their meal. Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies Dean Craig Youdale was also on site to lend a hand, and Academic Experience and Engagement Coordinator Laura Hull assisted with organizing the initiative.

“We consistently support the Ronald McDonald House with the food cooked by our culinary students during our pop-up events, but these meals are normally packaged and picked up by the charity. I never had a chance to meet the space and staff in person until we did the ‘kitchen takeover,'” said Victor Oliveira, Manager, Catering and Special Events and Professor, Culinary Tourism and Beverage Studies.

“Meeting the guests in person and watching the smiles as they enjoy their meals was priceless. I can’t wait to come over more often!”

Ronald McDonald House Charities® South Central Ontario provides families in crisis a home away from home when their child is receiving care at McMaster Children’s Hospital (Hamilton) or the Marotta Family Hospital (St. Catharines).