LES Lines has been involved with Meals on Wheels for 21 years, and if he has his way he will be involved for just as many more.
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Mr Lines said there were many benefits of being involved with a community group such as Meals on Wheels.
“I just love having a chat,” he said.
“Sometimes when you deliver meals you’ll be the only person someone will talk to all day, and something as little as a half an hour conversation will be enough to brighten their day.”
Mr Lines said he continued to be amazed at the amount of support the community gave the service.
“By supporting us, you’re supporting the community,” he said.
Mr Lines described every day as a highlight because it allowed him to meet different people.
“I worked on the railway for about 36 years and I met a lot of people through that and when I left there they sent me to do some courses and encouraged me to do as much volunteer work as I could.”
Australian Meals on Wheels Association president, Ron Welsh OAM, said the service and volunteers across Australia provided more than just a nourishing meal to almost 60,000 clients each day.
“It also provides an important community connection through calling at homes each day to provide a cheery welcome, daily contact and check that each valued client is “safe and well”, hence our national theme...‘More than just a meal’,” he said.
People can self-refer to Meals on Wheels if they believe they may benefit from the service or they can be referred, for example by a health practitioner or family member.
A wide-range of people are eligible for the service, but it caters mainly for the frail age, young people living with disabilities, or those recovering from injury or illness.
Tomorrow marks National Meals on Wheels day and food services officer, Rachel Egan, said volunteers such as Mr Lines were an integral part of the organisation.
Moree Meals on Wheels employs three staff, has well over 120 volunteers and provides services for over 50 clients.
“There’s a very good reason we don’t pay them,” she said.
“It’s because they’re priceless.”
Ms Egan said the service provided between 30 and 40 meals a day.
She said the menu frequently changed, dependent on the client’s needs and product availability.
For further information contact Rachel on 6752 8288.