Meals and Wheels is calling for more volunteers to deliver food and connect with the elderly in the Springwood and Rochedale areas.
Your Lifestyle Centre (YLC) Beenleigh wellbeing and volunteer engagement officer Charmaine Taylor says YLC expanded its Meals on Wheels program to the Rochedale and Springwood communities in 2024.
“We have an amazing group of people who volunteer anywhere from once a month to others who volunteer two to three times a week,” Ms Taylor said.
“Most of our volunteers are retirees, so things may come up such as planned vacations or medical procedures.”
Meals on Wheels is a subsidised meal delivery program that delivers nutritious meals to elderly people and also doubles as a wellness check and social connection.
The meals on wheels service relocated to Underwood Park in 2020 after Logan City Council sold its long-term premises at 19 Nerida Street, Rochedale South, but meals are currently being prepared in Beenleigh and distributed to volunteer deliverers from Underwood Park.
Ms Taylor said YLC was hoping to open a new Meals on Wheels base near Rochedale and Springwood soon.
Retired carpenter Richard Hope, 73, has been volunteering on the Rochedale and Springwood routes since 2024.
“ I always just ask, ‘How are you doing? Are you all right? Everything okay?” Mr Hope said, when asked about his usual interactions with the community.
Mr Hope downplays his interactions, but when this author tagged along with him on one of his delivery trips, his sincerity during his deliveries and welfare checks was obviously very much appreciated by the people he visited, with many having chats with him about their daily lives.
“I’m not doing it for the money – volunteering is for my personal satisfaction, just helping out people. That’s what I enjoy about it,” Mr Hope said.
A delivery for a day usually consists of a meal, a dessert, a sandwich and a drink, and usually happens before lunchtime.
To volunteer, contact YLC Beenleigh on 3287 1477.
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