Lebanon
“It really helps our guests who are staying here not have to worry about what they’re going to eat,” said Jill Ross, program manager at David’s House. “A lot of people enjoy coming in, being able to eat and getting back to the hospital to be with their child.”
Volunteers can cook on a one-time or on-going basis, preparing breakfast, lunch or dinner. Cooks are asked to prepare enough food for about 15 people and have dinner ready by 6 p.m. They can access the David’s House kitchen at any time to begin preparing the meal. Volunteers are responsible for purchasing ingredients, although there are also staples in the David’s House kitchen that are available for use.
Comfort food like chili, mac and cheese and soup are always popular dinner options, Ross said.
Ross recommends six people or fewer cook at a time, given the size of the David’s House kitchen. Parents are welcome to volunteer with their children. Ross says that cooking for the guests and learning about David’s House’s mission is fulfilling for all ages.
“The guests will leave thank-you notes for the cooks,” Ross said. “Volunteers get to spend time with the families and they get to understand the importance of David’s House and how they’re helping.”
One note from a family staying at David’s House read, “By doing this you are giving us the gift of being able to focus on our daughter without having to stop and take the time to cook or even think about what to prepare for ourselves — we can just nourish ourselves to be healthy for her and get over to Dartmouth to be with her and focus on what is important.”
The home has served more than 14,000 families, relying on volunteers to make the difficult time a bit easier.
“David’s House loves their volunteers and we really appreciate them,” Ross said.
To volunteer, contact Ross at 603-643-2298 or jill.ross@davids-house.org.
People who are unable to volunteer at David’s House but still wish to support guests can drop off freezer meals or baked goods, Ross said.