Meals on Wheels at Shailer Park last week celebrated the organisation’s 70 year anniversary.
The Shailer Park service has operated since 1996, and every year delivers around 9000 meals to over 60 clients, with the help of 36 volunteers.
The volunteers deliver to people across Shailer Park, Loganholme, Tanah Merah, Carbrook, Cornubia and Daisy Hill.
The group’s president Carol Hampson said it was a rewarding organisation to be a part of, and it was important to celebrate all the volunteers’ hard work.
“… because we couldn’t possibly exist without the volunteers,” Ms Hampson said.
“Some Meals on Wheels centres have paid staff, but we’re one of the very few centers in Queensland that is volunteer run.”
She said the main difference between Meals on Wheels and other food delivery programs is that Ms Hampson and her team perform welfare checks.
“So when you’re off at work five days a week and your parents need meals, well that’s where we come in,” Ms Hampson said.
“If you’re living in a different area to your parents, we’re keeping an eye on them for you.”
Engaging with clients and building relationships is one of the highlights of the job, she said.
“Some volunteers do the same run every day, or every week, and they really get to build a rapport with the clients,” Ms Hampson said.
“So when the clients leave because they go into care or something like that, we all get upset.”
To speak with the Shailer Park team, call: 07 3806 0529.
