Tyler Redway
MEALS on Wheels Mount Gambier is once again calling out for keen volunteers to help provide support to the community ahead of their upcoming Open Day.
The call comes as an aftermath of the pandemic, which severely impacted the number of volunteers who were able to deliver meals to the homes of those in need.
Meals on Wheels volunteer Rosalie said the situation had worsened since the pandemic, as it required certain volunteers to adapt to multiple roles.
“I have tried everyone possible to see if they want to come back ever since they removed the compulsory vaccinations,” Rosalie said.
“At the moment our coordinator is doing a lot of work in the kitchen, when she needs to be back in the office helping to run the place.”
Rosalie said local schools also had a curriculum which included spending time cooking and learning about Meals on Wheels, which she said was a big help to the local branch.
She said while it was good to have students helping with the volunteer work, it was still important to have people supervising over their work and teaching them.
“We’re trying to work with Grant High School again because the kids used to help out here as well as a part of their curriculum,” she said.
“They used to love it, they would come down for three hours a week and spend it in the kitchen.
“When you have students in the kitchen, you need to have someone to teach them as well, like a buddy system.
“I have backed off this idea for a little while, but I would still say it’s a great way to get the younger people involved.”
Meals on Wheels Mount Gambier volunteer Brian Rowett shared his own experience with the organisation during his time recovering from surgery to his leg.
“I had surgery a while ago and couldn’t drive for six months, so I had Meals on Wheels delivered to my door with three full courses for $7,” Mr Rowett said.
“I couldn’t believe it because I wouldn’t have been able to buy a Hungry Jacks Whopper for that amount of money.”
Mr Rowett said the main purpose of the open day was to recruit more volunteers or to give people the opportunity to learn more about the organisation as a whole.
He said the benefits of volunteering for Meals on Wheels were “very rewarding” for anyone wanting to give back to the community.
“In the last quarter of last year, we did a total of 9000 meals for Mount Gambier alone all cooked in our kitchen minus a few and delivered to peoples’ homes for an average of $7 per three courses.
“We would ask what people can do for us, if they say they can do an hour a week then that’s fantastic .
“If you do have an elderly parent who does order Meals on Wheels, then it takes the burden off yourself which is a huge benefit.
“Giving back some help to a fantastic not-for-profit organisation and its dedicated team is what we are asking for.”
The Mount Gambier Meals On Wheels Open Day will kick off on February 24 from 10am to 2pm at 10 O’Halloran Terrace.
