21 Oct A Lifelong Commitment to Building Healthy Communities – Sally Duplantier
For over a decade, Sally Duplantier has been a dedicated supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area. Her involvement stems from a simple but transformative lunch with a member of the RMHC Bay Area leadership team, who introduced her to the incredible work happening at the House. That lunch would mark the beginning of her deep connection with the organization.
With a background in nutrition science and a career in gerontology, she recognized the importance of providing not only a physical space for families but also nutritional support. “The psychological benefit of feeling safe, supported, and valued when your child is critically ill is profound,” Sally notes.
Beyond 10 Donor and MegaBITES Advocate
Sally’s initial visit to RMHC Bay Area motivated her to become more deeply involved. Shortly after touring the House at Stanford, she committed to becoming a Beyond10 donor, a group of supporters who give at least $10,000 annually to sustain and expand services. This commitment led her to participate in the MegaBITES program, where she cooked meals for families alongside other volunteers.
Reflecting on one of her favorite MegaBITES experiences, she shared, “One Thanksgiving, my husband and I came early in the morning, made massive amounts of dressing, potatoes, and salad. We didn’t even have our own Thanksgiving dinner that year, but it was the best Thanksgiving ever.” — Sally
Feed the Love: Addressing Food Insecurity in Partnership through Partnerships
One of Sally’s most significant contributions has been her involvement in RMHC Bay Area’s efforts to address food insecurity with the award-winning Feed the Love Program. In collaboration with Stanford Medicine, RMHC Bay Area initiated a research study to explore food insecurity among families with critically ill children. As Sally points out, this partnership was crucial in bringing research-based credibility to an underrecognized crisis. “Many families have jobs on hold, lives upended, and they struggle to access food during hospital stays that can last weeks or months. The research confirmed what RMHC staff had long known — food insecurity is a major issue.”
Alongside the RMHC Bay Area leadership team, Sally works to connect different organizations, including partnerships with local food banks and Stanford Medicine, ensuring that RMHC Bay Area can continue to meet the needs of families in crisis. Sally’s dedication to addressing these gaps has been instrumental in shaping the approach to feeding families, not just during their stay but in their broader communities after they return home.
A Lifetime of Giving Back
Sally’s commitment extends beyond her role as a donor. She’s also a founder of Zing, a mission-driven company aimed at helping older adults live longer, healthier lives through better lifestyle choices. As a gerontologist and researcher, Sally understands the importance of nutrition, movement, and social engagement in maintaining health. She’s currently pursuing her doctorate to further her work in this field.
Her passion for health equity shines through in her work, both at Zing and RMHC Bay Area. “For those of us who donate to RMHC, we have the means to buy better food and join gyms. But I also work with communities where people can’t even go outside for a walk. It’s important to think about how we can make a difference on a larger scale.”
As RMHC Bay Area expands its services across the region, Sally’s involvement remains at the heart of these efforts. “If you want something done, give it to a busy woman,” Sally jokes.