Ronald McDonald House

The Ronald McDonald House of Buffalo provides a home- away- from- home for families of ill or injured children receiving treatment at Buffalo area hospitals.

Many of the children arrive on an emergency basis. Some are chronically ill and require treatment over an extended period of time. The length of stay for families ranges from one night to more than a year. Our House has 15 bedrooms, and can accommodate up to 50 people. Families from all over the world travel to Buffalo and stay at the House.

The Ronald McDonald House of Buffalo was founded in 1983 with a seed grant from McDonald’s Corporation. Although the House receives some support from local McDonald’s owners and operators, it relies mostly on the generous donations of individuals, community groups and local businesses to cover its operational expenses. The House also depends on the generous support of a large network of volunteers who provide a variety of services to the House.

More than 15,000 families and their children have been served by the House since 1983. Guests are provided with a private bedroom with a telephone, van transportation to and from the hospital, a fully stocked kitchen (meals are often prepared by volunteer groups), free laundry facilities, an exercise room (provided by M&T Bank) and a computer with internet access.

The House asks families for a fee of $15.00 per night. The actual cost of a family’s stay is much more than that, and the House depends on the generous donations from the Western New York community to cover the additional expense.

The Ronald McDonald House is not a member of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County but may receive contributions through the United Way Donor Choice Program. The House also receives contributions through the State Employee Federated Appeal (SEFA) and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) programs. You can designate that all, or a portion of your employee contribution to the United Way, SEFA or CFC) come to the Ronald McDonald House.

For more information, please call (716) 883-1177.