If there’s one thing you can depend on in Moree, it’s the community support, with a band of volunteers at its base. Moree’s Meals on Wheels will take the opportunity to celebrate the ongoing efforts of its volunteers on Wednesday, as part of the National Meals on Wheels Day.
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“Our amazing and inspiring volunteers are the backbone of Meals on Wheels,” Australian Meals on Wheels Association president Sharyn Broer said.
“They form part of a caring community that is one of the most gratifying volunteer programs in the world.”
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Meals on Wheels is a 76,000 volunteer strong organisation, spread across 600 grass roots organisations.
“Our fantastic volunteers take the time to say hello and make sure you’re okay. A hearty meal warms the tummy, but a simple chat can warm the soul,” Mrs Broer said.
The Moree chapter has more than 100 volunteers, with a client base of 65 people.
The premises at Moree is one of the few Meals on Wheels locations that has an on-site meal preparation kitchen.
Between 150 to 200 meals are prepared on site in one week, a combined effort from volunteers and the the organisation’s staff.
Sisters Maureen Humphries and Lanny Creer have been doing the rounds for more than 25 years.
“I used to deliver meals with my husband,” Ms Humphries said.
“When he passed away I asked Lanny to help out.”
Lanny said the sight of seeing the client’s appreciation at the food delivery kept her going through all the years.
Though quality and compliance manager Rachel Egan said the service went beyond food delivery.
“We are sometimes a front-line service. If there is a decline in the client’s health, we can be the first ones to notice. When we constantly check up on the elderly and people living with a disability, it gives peace of mind to their families.”
Ms Egan herself has been with the local branch for 13 years.
“I wanted to make a positive change to the community, so I started as a casual at Meals on Wheels,” she said on why she joined the group.
Meals on Wheels is one of the many services that operate under the Moree Aged and Disability Services on Edward Street.
Ms Egan noted the organisation is continually growing and is always on the lookout for more volunteers.
“We are looking for more volunteers to help with the transport service: we already have the cars, we just need the drivers,” Ms Egan said.
“We need drivers to transport clients to appointments in and around Moree.
“It’s the little things that are done in the community that make a big difference.”
As a show of appreciation to their clients, the Meals on Wheels crew will dole out handmade lavender bags and biscuits to their clients on Wednesday.
