OzHarvest volunteer Jim Miles recognised as part of News Corp’s Thanks A Million campaign

Every Thursday, 94-year-old Jim Miles hops in his car to help distribute food to the needy. He’s an inspiration – nominate your local hero for the Thanks A Million awards here.

Jim Miles, 94, volunteers every Thursday afternoon for OzHarvest, picking up food from Aldi in Victor Harbor and delivering it to the Salvation Army. Picture: Tom Huntley

For as long as Jim Miles can drive, he will keep volunteering.

Every Thursday afternoon, the 94-year-old hops in his car and drives to Aldi to collect food to deliver to the Salvation Army, as part of his OzHarvest volunteering role.

Mr Miles, of Victor Harbor, has been doing this role for the past three years, but he started selflessly helping others more than three decades ago.

“I come from a family where it was just natural to be a volunteer,” Mr Miles says.

His involvement with OzHarvest’s Victor Harbor branch came about after he learned there was excess food in the town making its way to landfill.

“I thought ‘now that’s a shame’, so I was happy to become one of the volunteers,” he says.

OzHarvest is the nation’s leading food rescue organisation, collecting excess food from commercial outfits and delivering it to more than 1300 charities across Australia.

Mr Miles has been nominated for News Corp’s Thanks A Million campaign, which highlights individuals helping support and keep their community safe throughout the pandemic.

Mr Miles also volunteers at Encounter Centre, an organisation which provides programs for people with a disability.

He was named Victor Harbor Council’s citizen of the year in 2000, in recognition of his volunteering work.

“It gives you satisfaction to know that you are helping where this is a need,” Mr Miles says.

His wife of the past 66 years, Melva, is proud of her husband.

“I’m so thrilled he can still get out and about and do things like that,” Mrs Miles says.

Mr Miles plans to keep helping others for a while yet.

“I have no plan to stop,” he says. “It will all depend on when I am no longer able to drive.”

OzHarvest SA engagement co-ordinator Rachel Hibble said Mr Miles was an inspiration to everyone around him.

“He inspires us to remember that you’re never too old or young to make a difference in the lives of others,” Ms Hibble said.

Originally published as OzHarvest volunteer Jim Miles recognised as part of News Corp’s Thanks A Million campaign