Serving Hope: Nelnet Associates Bring Comfort to Families at Ronald McDonald House

Nelnet associates have become a cornerstone of Ronald McDonald House’s monthly meal program. Byron Ferguson, a Nelnet IT Manager and longtime volunteer, shares, “I’ve been here 14 years now and I think I’m probably the most consistent volunteer for that. I probably only missed maybe 10 months in 14 years.”

Byron and IT Business Analyst Daniel Civiello co-coordinate the meal service, ensuring every detail is covered—from menu planning to shopping, prepping, cooking, serving, and cleanup.

“It was sobering to learn how much work goes into the effort before showing up and making the meal. Daniel and I have a lot of chats back and forth. We spend a few hours each month putting together a menu and communicating on it, getting the word out,” Byron explains.

Nelnet Enrollment Processing Supervisor and regular Aurora House volunteer Denise Stupar adds, ““We purchase all the food through our charitable contributions committee. We have a budget every month and we bring all the food in and prepare it there. We plan out all our meals and we try not to do pizza or bring in fast food like some do.”

Menus listing the evening meal and which organizations are preparing them are posted at Aurora House in advance—and apparently home-cooked meals from Nelnet are a hit.

For families, these meals are a lifeline. Byron recalls meeting parents who gave up their restaurant to care for their sick child, and others who found solace in the simple act of sharing a meal. “People go through hard times, but I think they really appreciate that someone cares enough to show up and try to provide a meal. I hope what we do helps them a little bit.”

For families undergoing challenging times, receiving a homecooked meal is such a simple thing, but it can bring joy. Daniel remembers one girl enjoying a recent dinner, and it was a heartwarming experience.

Denise shares, “To get a good meal and feel safe and in a good place is unbelievable. You get a great sense of warmth and gratitude, to be able to do all this.”

She describes the joy of seeing families interact: “The families are just so wonderful and the kids are so dang cute. It’s so worth it to see how well that goes. This last meal, there were more families sitting together, like three or four families at a big table, laughing. It gives them time to relax with others who are going through what they are and who can support them.”

She adds, “Especially if you’re coming from another state and don’t have anybody here, it’s nice to see a friendly face. They always thank us for coming, and I say, ‘No, thank you for coming and sharing with us. It means just as much to us as it does to you.’

For volunteers, the experience is transformative.

“[Volunteering] makes me feel grateful for the life that I’ve had. I’m always extremely proud of Nelnet and the people from Nelnet who give so generously of their time and their talents and their money. I hope we’re doing something to make the world just a little bit better today,” Byron says.

Denise echoes this: “It’s amazing to know that we can make a difference to those that could really use the help and make them feel warm and welcome. You can’t even describe how incredible that makes you feel. Being able to share that and do something good for the community—it’s an instant reward to see it.”

She encourages others: “If you like to cook and make a difference and see the benefit of what we’re doing, you get to see it and you feel it. It’s rewarding all the way around for everyone involved—you, families, and the community. It makes a difference.”

Byron encourages anyone considering volunteering to take the leap: “Pick Ronald McDonald House and come to our dinner. That’s what I would say. Just do it… Or just reach out to your local Nelnet charitable contributions committee. They’ve got stuff going on.”

Denise adds, “We could always use more members. If anything opens up for volunteering, please consider it. If you can take the time, it’s well worth the time and effort you put in and it makes you feel good.”

Stella echoes the sentiment: “Every financial contribution, group meal, and personal volunteer counts. We couldn’t do it without our corporate teams like Nelnet.”

In the end, the partnership between Nelnet and Ronald McDonald House is about more than food—it’s about community, compassion, and the ripple effect of kindness. “I think we all have an obligation to try and improve things and give back. Seek opportunities, try new things, and figure out what’s right for you… How do you carry that forward? How do you make it better? Pay it forward,” Byron reflects.

Daniel—who grew up volunteering with his parents from a young age—echoes that: “Find your jam. Go do some good. See a new perspective. Help a fellow human out.”

Denise concludes, “This is one of the good things that we get to do and, you know, see goodness in the world, right?”

For families facing the hardest days, and for volunteers seeking purpose, the simple act of sharing a meal becomes a powerful source of hope.

Nelnet’s culture and policies encourage associates to give back with their time and resources to their communities in the areas where they feel they can most make a difference. If that fits with what matters to you, check out Nelnet’s job opportunities and learn more about #LifeAtNelnet.