Council & Business
20 July, 2023
Volunteers needed to deliver meals to community
The Central Goldfields Shire Council is calling on locals to support its food delivery service by volunteering for the program once a week. Meals on Wheels, a nationwide scheme, operates in various communities throughout Australia including the...
The Central Goldfields Shire Council is calling on locals to support its food delivery service by volunteering for the program once a week.
Meals on Wheels, a nationwide scheme, operates in various communities throughout Australia including the shire which, along with 87 other locations in Victoria, has been delivering meals to older residents for several decades.
According to the Central Goldfields Shire manager community services Veronica Hutcheson, the initiative promotes the overall health of elderly people.
“It is just one of the great in-home supports to assist people to remain independent in their own homes,” she said.
“Not only does Meals on Wheels provide people with a well-nourished meal but it also is an opportunity to create social connections and do a wellbeing check by our dedicated volunteers.
“Often the meal deliveries can be a client’s only connection with the outside world.”
Ms Hutcheson said volunteer support was crucial in ensuring the continued operation of the service — which saw 5681 meals being delivered to 85 clients last year.
“Volunteers are essential to keep the program running for our community as it continues to be an essential service that offers support to vulnerable members of our community at a time when they need it most,” she said.
“For individuals with disabilities or seniors, knowing that someone is checking in on them and bringing them a meal each day can provide a sense of security and comfort. For their loved ones, knowing that their loved ones are receiving proper nutrition and social interaction can bring peace of mind.”
Currently less then 10 volunteers are part of the service, with the council urging more people to sign-up.
“We have eight volunteers supporting the service — some one day a month to two days a week,” Ms Hutcheson said.
“We are calling for more volunteers to support the service moving forward. We’d love to hear from anyone interested that is willing to offer their time either on a regular basis or casual.
“The time commitment can be only one hour of your time from10 to 11 am — from one day a week to one day a month between Monday and Friday.”
To find out more email mail@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au or contact council’s lifestyle activities officer on 5461-0675.