At the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House, a packed lunch can offer more than just nutrition — it’s a gesture of stability for families navigating medical crises. That's why 17 volunteers from the CIM Women’s Alliance recently prepared 150 meals for families who stay at the East Hollywood facility.
The volunteer event took place just a few miles from the headquarters of CIM Group, a real estate and infrastructure owner and developer, and several of its properties, including the Hollywood Western Building. The Ronald McDonald House's proximity to its headquarters offered a way for team members to give back to the neighborhood where the firm has long had a presence.
CIM volunteers handled everything from grocery shopping to cooking and assembling the meals. The food was distributed to families with children undergoing treatment at nearby pediatric hospitals.
The event was organized by the CIM Women’s Alliance, an employee group focused on mentorship, advancement and service opportunities for women across the firm. It was one of several community outreach efforts the group leads each year.
“We were proud to offer members an opportunity to give back to the community by preparing a home-cooked meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House,” said Lauren Cross, CIM's vice president of platform engagement and chair of the CIM Women’s Alliance, in an email to CoStar News.
The day of volunteering ended with the delivery of 150 meals and a clean kitchen. For families facing long hospital stays and uncertainty, it was one less thing to worry about.
Lunch with purpose
Los Angeles is home to world-renowned pediatric hospitals that draw patients from across the state and beyond. But extended stays in the city often create serious financial and logistical burdens for families.
The Ronald McDonald House in East Hollywood provides 75 guest rooms and daily support services to help families stay close to their hospitalized children. It’s part of a global network of more than 380 locations.
In addition to housing, the organization offers transportation, communal areas and volunteer-prepared meals. “For parents juggling hospital visits, emotional exhaustion, and financial strain, even a packed lunch can feel like a lifeline,” the nonprofit says in its materials.
The CIM Women’s Alliance has made volunteerism a key part of its mission. The group also organizes networking events, educational programming and leadership discussions to support the growth of women at the firm.
Open to all employees, the alliance fosters cross-departmental relationships and community involvement. Events like this one serve both professional and personal goals for members.
For CIM and the Women’s Alliance, the Ronald McDonald House effort was a small but tangible contribution to a city where the firm both builds and belongs, Cross said.