ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Ronald McDonald Houses across Tampa Bay have closed their doors to outside guests to prevent the spread of coronavirus to sick children and their families.

While the move to limit access at all four area houses was necessary, it's also meant the meal groups that donate food and volunteer to prepare meals for those who stay in them are in jeopardy.

Rafael Cosme’s family has been staying in one of the Ronald McDonald Houses in St. Petersburg while Rafael's grandson Ivan got a bone marrow transplant after a leukemia diagnosis. The family has now relied on Ronald McDonald Houses three times.

"When you have a loved one going through this situation and you have a group of people behind you, it really helps,” said Cosme through tears. “We need help because alone we cannot do it."

Acknowledging difficult times, families and RMHC staff are reaching out to the community, hoping for help.

"It’s amazing how much is donated by the community that we no longer have," said Lisa Suprenand, Executive Director of RMHC Tampa Bay. “The community purchased and provided every single ingredient for the meals they cooked.”

Helping families can also help local community businesses.

"Raising support and then we are using that money to purchase food from local restaurants that still have their kitchens open, so it’s a double win,” Suprenand explained.

Mealtime doesn’t just mean food for these families, though. It's also the key to a sense of community.

There was a time months ago when families at RMHC pushed their tables together, shared a meal and fellowship. Now, they take their individually-packaged meals to their rooms or they distance themselves, sitting apart, trying to stay as close as they can while offering support.

"Our families are dealing with the most critical thing that they will ever deal with in their life — a sick child — and we don’t want them to have to stress any more than they already do,” said Suprenand.

Cosme and his family have months left at the Ronald McDonald House while Ivan celebrates being cancer-free. They hope the community comes through for them all.

“The Ronald McDonald House is a happy place and we’re doing our best to keep it that way, even under these circumstances,” said Suprenand.