More Than a Meal
Celebrating 35 years of comfort, care, and community at RMHC of Greater Chattanooga
There is something about food that can hold people together, especially when life feels like it is falling apart. At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga, a warm meal is never just food. It is comfort, connection, and a reminder that families are not facing their hardest days alone.
For the last thirty-five years, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga has served as a “Home away from Home” for families with critically ill or injured children receiving treatment just steps away at nearby hospitals. When families are navigating hospital stays, treatment plans, and the weight of the unknown, RMHC strives to be their safety net. That is why we provide lodging, laundry, hygiene necessities, and meals at no cost to families.
Families come through our doors carrying unimaginable stress. They’re juggling hospital visits, medical decisions, and long stretches of uncertainty. In the middle of medical chaos, a warm plate of food has the power to do more than just provide sustenance, but comfort as well. That’s why every day, our team and community volunteers prepare and serve meals to the families staying under our roof.
The Brown family, one of the many supported over the past year, shared just how powerful that kind of care can be. On their first night at the House, Audrea Brown sat down to a familiar dish: chicken casserole. It happened to be her favorite meal growing up, one her mom often made at home. That small moment meant a lot more than familiarity. “It’s a House you never think you’ll have to use, but when you do, it’s a Home you never forget,”
said her husband, Ethan.
At RMHC, the dinner table becomes a place where strangers become support systems. In the Great Room kitchen, families who may have never met before find themselves sitting side by side, opening up about their children, their stories, and their hopes. In a season full of uncertainty, that kind of shared understanding can be just as healing as the meals themselves.
The Great Kitchen is open 24/7 and intentionally stocked with healthy snacks and grab-and-go meals, making sure families always have what they need day or night. Within the last year, RMHC of Greater Chattanooga has hired a Kitchen Manager/ Chef who provides more than just nourishment- through delicious, from-scratch meals, baked goods, and warm conversation, she creates a comforting space that feeds both body and spirit. Parents often stop in on their way to or from the hospital, grabbing something quick before heading back to their child’s bedside. It’s one less thing to worry about, and one more way we let them know we’ve got their back. In a world of medical charts, hospital corridors, and constant uncertainty, something as simple as a warm plate of food or a stocked fridge becomes a visible expression of care.
This June, RMHC of Greater Chattanooga is proud to launch our Restaurant Give Back Month, inviting the community to help us continue providing this support to our families simply by enjoying your favorite restaurants. Throughout the month, generous community partners will donate a portion of their proceeds to help us continue keeping families near one another and the care they need. Head to our website to find out where you’re going to enjoy your next meal that heals.
As we reflect on our 35 years, there is deep gratitude for the families who have trusted RMHC with their hardest days, and for the volunteers, donors, and partners who continue to show up with love and generosity, plate by plate, year after year. These acts of kindness make each meal more than just food, they become a reminder that healing doesn’t happen alone.
After giving birth at eight months and undergoing an emergency C-section, Toni Ann Johnson learned her son, Azari-Asher, would need to stay in the NICU. With limited mobility, her team at Erlanger referred her to Ronald McDonald House so she could remain close while recovering. “I stayed for almost three weeks and it was the best experience having gone through that painful ordeal,” Toni Ann said. “I remember how safe and welcoming the environment was and the staff was always there to greet us with a smile or give us extra treats.” Having a place so close to the hospital gave her comfort during a difficult time. “The biggest help was the convenience of it all being so close and not feeling lost or like you’re going through it alone,” she shared. “The whole experience was such a blessing and memorable; it meant the world to me just to be able to talk and share laughs with the staff and other families there,” Toni Ann said. “Not having to think about anything apart from rest and your baby was the ultimate gift and we are forever grateful to RMHC.” Today, both Toni Ann and Azari-Asher are healthy and thriving.
In mid-October 1990, four-year-old Daniel Bailer became very sick with pneumonia and was admitted to Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. What began as a hospital stay quickly became a long and uncertain time for his family. Daniel spent nearly 50 days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and about 70 days total in the hospital. At the time, the Bailer family lived in Dalton, about a 45-minute drive away. Renee stayed in Chattanooga during the week while her husband continued working. Each night, she slept in the PICU waiting room, resting in chairs and using a public restroom to shower. Most of her time was spent just outside Daniel’s room. During their stay, Daniel’s health quickly became extremely critical. He was placed on a ventilator, taken off, then put back on again and later required a tracheostomy due to recurring pneumonia, which extended his stay even longer. During that time, Renee relied heavily on the nurses and doctors caring for her son. “The nurses and doctors became my lifeline,” Renee said. “They knew I was sleeping in the waiting room chairs every night.” About a week before the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga officially opened, founding director Jane Kaylor and hospital staff approached Renee and asked if she would like to stay at the House. “I’ll never forget that moment,” Renee said. “They told me I could come over and sleep in a real bed, and I said, ‘ Take me!’ It was like a godsend.” Renee was hesitant at first to leave the hospital, even briefly, but staff reassured her she was in good hands and Daniel was only steps away. She was given a pager in case Daniel needed her and knew security could get in contact if anything happened overnight. She agreed and became the first guest to ever stay at the House. Renee stayed for about a week in a handicap-accessible room with a private bathroom, shower, and bed. For the first time in weeks, she was able to rest. “The peace and quiet were incredible,” she recalled. “I’d been surrounded by people and hospital noise for weeks. To sit on a couch, to breathe, to feel cared for—it was life-changing.” Today, Daniel is 39 years old. He is wheelchair-bound but healthy and works as a sculptor and artist, creating and selling his artwork. “It was like angels sent me there,” Renee said. “That place gave me rest when I didn’t know how I was going to keep going. It will always hold a special place in my heart.”
