Kingaroy Meals on Wheels

October 30, 2011 - Kingaroy Meals on Wheels urgently needs to recruit more volunteer deliverers to assist with delivering meals to those members of our community dependent of this vital life support service.

Deliveries are made every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Ongoing ill-health of members has forced the withdrawal of one of the longest serving groups from continuing their volunteer delivering service.

The prospect of any of our valued Meals on Wheels clients not having a meal delivered is something that we need to urgently act on.

To replace the loss of volunteers, Meals on Wheels needs at least four new drivers with their own vehicles, plus a helper for each car to assist the driver.

Currently a roster is in place with plenty of blank spaces in the second week of each month (mainly on a Monday & Friday).

Currently the gaps have been filled with some of our already busy existing volunteers who do extra deliveries, but we feel that if we had more volunteers on board it will lighten the load for all. The more new volunteers recruited could lead to an arrangement where you may not need to be committed to a deliver every month; possibly every second month.

Occasional help is also welcome and would be very much appreciated by joining the "emergency" list. This means that you may get a call a week or so before the date required, (or as late as two days before delivery). If you are not available, an approach will then be made to the next person on the list.

Some local business houses participate by allowing their staff time to assist with providing this vital service during work hours.

This call therefore goes out to all businesses where people of all ages could assist, not just those who may have reached their retirement years.

"What goes around comes around" is something Meals on Wheels encourages all community members to consider when reading this request.

Meals on Wheels cannot provide this service without volunteers helping and demonstrating their caring community spirit.

The meals are prepared for people who are unwell, frail or disabled and are no longer able to cook for themselves.

"How would you like to be supported if you were in this situation?"

These residents can remain in their home, reducing the cost to taxpayers, if they receive a delivery of a freshly cooked, well balanced meal when needed.

Deliverers are required to be at the kitchen by 11:00am at latest. This act of kindness and care will only take an hour and a half out of your day.

So why not investigate further by calling the office on (07) 4162-7302 and talk to Amanda (if unattended please leave contact details for a return phone call).

Alternatively, you can contact President Cr Keith Campbell on (07) 4162-1249 or 0439-708-553.

All training is provided on the first delivery that volunteers are involved with.

Insurance cover to protect the vital link between kitchen and client is also in place.

A voucher to reimburse for fuel is also offered to the driver of the vehicle.