Wagga Wagga Meals on Wheels is adapting to the COVID-19 to look after their clients and keep their volunteers safe after seeing a 40 per cent increase in demand.
“Many of our clients had social activities which provided some food that have been cancelled,” manager Julie Logan said.
“People who have been receiving Meals on Wheels for some time are requesting extra meals and others are returning to Meals on Wheels after being off for a while.
“We are also receiving new requests from many people who are now at home and cannot access food easily.”
Wagga Wagga Meals on Wheels has put many changes into place to keep clients and volunteers safe.
“This week we have made some major changes to the way we work,” Julie said.
“From Monday April 6 we will use two dedicated delivery people.
“To reduce personal contact, our clients are asked to have a table or chair near their door for meals to be placed on.
“Our delivery person will then knock on the door, wait for the client to answer and take the meals inside.
“This enables us to continue to ensure the client is OK and have a short conversation with them.”
The change to dedicated delivery drives came following the Government recommendation that all people over 70 should stay at home.
“The recent advice has meant that most of our volunteers have had to stop making deliveries to the more frail members of the community,” Julie said.
“Our volunteers under this age have responded and are doing extra hours this week.
“However, as an additional precaution we have decided to suspend all volunteer activities from Monday April 6 until further notice.
“Wagga Wagga Meals on Wheels management would like to thank all the great work our volunteers have done over many years and recognise that the long term viability of our organisation is reliant on the goodwill and work of our volunteers.
“Please rest assured that when this turmoil has ended we will have a celebration and look forward to working with our volunteers again.”
Clients can assist by ensuring they keep the 1.5 metre distance.
Clients also need to ensure they are home on delivery days and can hear the doorbell.
“We will continue to offer great service to our community,” Julie said.
“Our delivery people will check that our clients are coping with the new way of receiving service. If they find any problems they will report to our office staff so they can follow up with the client, family or as necessary.”
While delivery will continue, meals can also be picked up from the office by phoning in to pay and organising a time for pick up. Subject to change dependent on restrictions.
Source: Daily Advertiser