Hosting a Meal at Pittsburgh Fisher House
Thank you for your interest in hosting a meal!
Please read these guidelines and then contact the House Managers, Heather Frantz and Tessa Paivanas at 412-360-2030, [email protected] or [email protected]. They will help you select a date and time as well as review these guidelines with you and your group prior to hosting.
Our families are always grateful when organizations or groups provide a meal. We welcome several hosted meals per week typically during weekday mornings or evenings; this is when most guests are available to sit down and enjoy a meal before or after visiting their loved one in the hospital.
GUIDELINES
Groups that come into the Fisher House to prepare and serve meals must follow these guidelines:
When should we arrive?
When you talk with Heather or Tessa, you'll decide on a date and time for your group to host a meal. Fisher House office staff is available Monday through Friday, 9am – 4pm so know that if you are cooking dinner, someone from your group needs to arrive prior to the office closing at 4pm. Then they will be responsible for letting in anyone from your group who arrives after that time. Remember: Fisher House is a secure building so do not prop open doors or open the door to anyone who is not a member of your volunteer group.
If this is the first time your group is volunteering at Fisher House, we ask that you make an appointment to meet with the management staff during business hours prior to the date of your event.
How are the guests notified of our meal?
Guests will be notified about the meal or event through a variety of in-house communications. However, please understand that guests have very spur-of-the-moment lives while staying at the Fisher House. Someone may intend to come to the meal and then be called suddenly to the hospital for an emergency. We do not judge the success of an event by how many guests are present at the meal. The value of your time and service to our families is appreciated no matter what. Please know that all guests will benefit, even if they are not able to join you for the meal.
How many people should we cook for?
We suggest you cook for 15 people. We cannot predict occupancy with any accuracy as guests are checking in and out continuously; even if we gave you a head count the morning of your event, it may change before you arrive. Don’t worry, though, as leftovers are always appreciated and can be easily stored in the “fair game” refrigerator for guests to eat after the event or the next day. Please put the event date on any leftovers.
Your volunteer group is welcome and encouraged to join the families for dinner. Please factor your volunteers into the total headcount for your meal.
How do you suggest we prepare and serve the food?
Volunteers have the option of making the meal offsite or using our big, beautiful kitchen to cook the meal right here at Fisher House. For serving, buffet style from the kitchen island works best.
What does the kitchen have? And what do we need to bring?
In short: you provide the ingredients, labor, and love and we’ve got the rest covered!
Our kitchen is well-stocked with pots, pans, cooking utensils, and small appliances. We have 2 cooktops, 2 ovens, 2 microwaves, a dishwasher, and a crockpot. We also have all plates, utensils, and serving necessities. You are welcome to use our pantry stock as needed; we have plenty of spices and seasonings if you need them to supplement your ingredients.
What are the dietary restrictions?
There are none. We serve an average of 60 families each month so we can’t possibly stay on top of special dietary restrictions...which means you do not have to worry about it either. Guests with allergies or other restrictions will ask you about ingredients if they need to.
What is not allowed?
No alcohol is permitted on the campus of VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. This includes bringing in wine and beer used as cooking ingredients.
What do we do before we leave?
We ask volunteers to clean up from the meal as much as possible prior to your 6pm departure. This means packing and labeling leftovers, wiping down the counters, and loading and running the dishwasher.
GUIDELINES
Groups that come into the Fisher House to prepare and serve meals must follow these guidelines:
- You can have a maximum of 5 volunteers visit the house and everyone must be at least 18 years old.
- You should prepare enough food for 15 Fisher House guests plus your group.
- Volunteers must complete all activities, including clean-up, by 6pm.
- You must label and date all leftovers and put them away in “fair game” refrigerator.
- Fisher House is a secure building. Do not prop open doors or open the door to anyone who is not a member of your volunteer group. Fisher House guests must also follow these rules, so it is important that volunteers never arrive without making prior arrangements.
When should we arrive?
When you talk with Heather or Tessa, you'll decide on a date and time for your group to host a meal. Fisher House office staff is available Monday through Friday, 9am – 4pm so know that if you are cooking dinner, someone from your group needs to arrive prior to the office closing at 4pm. Then they will be responsible for letting in anyone from your group who arrives after that time. Remember: Fisher House is a secure building so do not prop open doors or open the door to anyone who is not a member of your volunteer group.
If this is the first time your group is volunteering at Fisher House, we ask that you make an appointment to meet with the management staff during business hours prior to the date of your event.
How are the guests notified of our meal?
Guests will be notified about the meal or event through a variety of in-house communications. However, please understand that guests have very spur-of-the-moment lives while staying at the Fisher House. Someone may intend to come to the meal and then be called suddenly to the hospital for an emergency. We do not judge the success of an event by how many guests are present at the meal. The value of your time and service to our families is appreciated no matter what. Please know that all guests will benefit, even if they are not able to join you for the meal.
How many people should we cook for?
We suggest you cook for 15 people. We cannot predict occupancy with any accuracy as guests are checking in and out continuously; even if we gave you a head count the morning of your event, it may change before you arrive. Don’t worry, though, as leftovers are always appreciated and can be easily stored in the “fair game” refrigerator for guests to eat after the event or the next day. Please put the event date on any leftovers.
Your volunteer group is welcome and encouraged to join the families for dinner. Please factor your volunteers into the total headcount for your meal.
How do you suggest we prepare and serve the food?
Volunteers have the option of making the meal offsite or using our big, beautiful kitchen to cook the meal right here at Fisher House. For serving, buffet style from the kitchen island works best.
What does the kitchen have? And what do we need to bring?
In short: you provide the ingredients, labor, and love and we’ve got the rest covered!
Our kitchen is well-stocked with pots, pans, cooking utensils, and small appliances. We have 2 cooktops, 2 ovens, 2 microwaves, a dishwasher, and a crockpot. We also have all plates, utensils, and serving necessities. You are welcome to use our pantry stock as needed; we have plenty of spices and seasonings if you need them to supplement your ingredients.
What are the dietary restrictions?
There are none. We serve an average of 60 families each month so we can’t possibly stay on top of special dietary restrictions...which means you do not have to worry about it either. Guests with allergies or other restrictions will ask you about ingredients if they need to.
What is not allowed?
No alcohol is permitted on the campus of VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. This includes bringing in wine and beer used as cooking ingredients.
What do we do before we leave?
We ask volunteers to clean up from the meal as much as possible prior to your 6pm departure. This means packing and labeling leftovers, wiping down the counters, and loading and running the dishwasher.
