IFBF Women's Leadership Committee donates to Ronald McDonald House

BOISE - The Idaho Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Committee met at Boise's new Ronald McDonald House this afternoon with a donation to the families of critically ill children. 

The new facility just opened on February 1st and is located next door to the old house. The new house replaces and nearly quadruples the size of the old house on Main Street. 

The Leadership Committee's donation was much appreciated and will be used for food according to House Director Mindy Plumlee.

"Food is an integral part of the House and the care we provide for the families when they come here. When families come here they are under such stress and this donation helps nourish and comforts them, I thank Farm Bureau for that and thankful for our long relationship," said Plumlee.

The mission of the Ronald McDonald House is to provide a “home away from home” for families of sick and injured children receiving medical treatment in Boise. Plumlee says more than 620 families spent time at the facility in 2019, and the House is nearly booked to capacity just about every week, so the new house with over 40-thousand square feet will help ease demand.

"The 17 bedroom house was always full," said Plumlee. "The need is real, that's why we always have welcomed the Farm Bureau Women's committee donations through the years. It means so much to families staying here."

The Ronald McDonald House is located on Main Street and just across the street from St. Luke's Hospital. The House provides affordable alternative housing for out-of-town families with children requiring medical treatment. 

The first house was built in the early 1900s and purchased by the late J.R. Simplot for the Ronald McDonald Foundation. Families are charged a minimal amount per night; the balance is paid with public and private donations to the Ronald McDonald house, and families unable to pay the fee are never turned away.

The Women's Committee visits the Ronald McDonald House every year as part of the 'Our Food Link" program in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau. The Food Link program's mission is to remind consumers where their food comes from.

” February 10th is an important day, it takes the average American almost 40 days to pay for their food and groceries for the year," said Chairwoman Judy Woody. This is a great way of observing that milestone, here at the new Ronald McDonald House."

Woody presented the House with the check, in the spacious new lobby. The funds were collected from County Farm Bureaus across the state. Director Plumlee is thankful for the help. “We’ll spend it all on food, and things needed to sustain families during their stay here.