The Ronald McDonald House

Is it a house?

Is it a home?

Is it a hotel?

Is it a place where families live together and share their concerns while their children are hospitalized?

Yes, it is all of those things and much, much, more. It is a safe haven, a port in the storm for the thousands of families that stay in Ronald McDonald Houses each night all over the world.

In 1974 the first Ronald McDonald House was built in Philadelphia. On August 29, 1981 the Des Moines House opened. We were the 26th House. Today there are 298 Houses in 30 countries.

Each Ronald McDonald House is owned and operated by a not for profit corporation in the community where they are located. They are governed by local volunteer board of directors who serve on various committees that deal with all facets of the operation.

The Des Moines House is located on the corner of 15th and Pleasant immediately west of Blank Children’s Hospital. Our large 12-bedroom facility is a home-away-from-home for families that have children in Des Moines area hospitals. We charge each family $10 per night and we waive the fee if needed.