Meals on Wheels needs more help for its vital work

To support DoSomething Day on July 19, Meals on Wheels is calling for volunteers to join its service that has been running in NSW for more than 60 years.

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DELIVERING hearty meals is one thing but spending a little time to chat about the weather is really what puts a smile on the thousands of clients’ faces of Meals on Wheels NSW.

The organisation provides more than 1500 meals across the state each day to people needing a hand but this is just one element of the service.

The other huge part comes from the volunteers who give the food or even take the clients on an outing. It is the conversations they have with clients that can make a difference to someone’s day.

Preparing meals for delivery to clients.. Picture: Mark Brake

To give back and support DoSomething Day on July 19, Meals on Wheels is calling for volunteers to join its service that has been running in NSW for more than 60 years.

“We are so incredibly grateful to our 35,000 volunteers around the state who give their time to support this wonderful service. It would not be possible without them,” Meals on Wheels NSW chief executive Les MacDonald said.

“As well as nutritional support, Meals on Wheels volunteers provide important social contact and can monitor a client’s wellbeing, health and safety. Volunteers say they gain as much as the people they visit.”

Meals on Wheels delivers thousands of meals across Australia. Picture: Richard Walker

Do Something Day is Australia’s biggest celebration of volunteering in our communities, recognising the extraordinary contributions made by everyday locals.

It seeks to inspire people to make a difference and give back by volunteering, making a donation or carrying out a simple random act of kindness.

Mr MacDonald said Meals on Wheels volunteers assisted local clients who could have lived across town or as close as two doors down.

Meals on Wheels provides important social connections for its clients.

For some clients, seeing the volunteers is their only connection to the outside world.

The organisation’s Two Doors Down short video series features clients and volunteers talking about their Meals on Wheels experiences.

“I have Meals on Wheels come every Friday with my delivery. It saves me a lot of cooking,” client Enid said.

“We have a good old laugh and speak about our families and our ups and downs. All the folk at Meals on Wheels are wonderful. They feel like family to be truthful.”

Robyn, who has been a volunteer for 10 years and has been visiting Enid for more than two years, said the pair looked forward to catching up.

Client Enid and volunteer Robyn have formed a strong bond through Meals on Wheels.

“As part of the social support group, we take clients out on outings to the shops, appointments and we love having coffee and cake,” she said.

“Enid and I have just seemed to have clicked. We have a lot in common.”

To apply to be a volunteer at your local Meals on Wheels service, visit nswmealsonwheels.org.au.

WHAT IS DO SOMETHING DAY?

Do Something Day on July 19 is Australia’s biggest celebration of volunteering in our communities, recognising the extraordinary contributions made by everyday locals. It seeks to inspire people to make a difference and give back by volunteering, making a donation or carrying out a simple random act of kindness.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

There are endless ways you can help others - and you don’t need to wait until Dosomething Day to start. However, as July 19 is the focal point of this celebration, it would be great to turn your attention to it on that day. Let the “kind-o-miser” generate a kind deed sugestion for you to do. Try our Do Something Day Quiz which will help match you with a charity that reflects your ideals.

Share your DoSomething Day pictures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Tweet, Instagram or Facebook a picture that captures the spirit of kindness and generosity on Do Something Day - and use the hashtags #dosomethingday and #giveyourbest. It could be a picture of a volunteers at charity you are already involved with. It could be a picture acknowleding someone in your community who selflessly works for others. It could be a snap of the nice person who serves your coffee every day with a smile. so many ways to to acknowledge the kindness in our community.