Providing much more than a meal

Wednesday, August 27, marked the 61st National Meals on Wheels Day with Cootamundra’s service joining with the almost 700 other services across Australia to celebrate. 

Over the course of a year, more than 75,000 volunteers will deliver 14 million meals to almost 60,000 people each day, in cities, regional and rural areas.

Australian Meals on Wheels Association President Ron Welsh OAM said National Meals on Wheels Day marks the progress made from humble beginnings in South Melbourne in 1953, where a lady on a tricycle delivered a few meals to local residents. 

The theme for this year’s event has a focus on the role Meals on Wheels plays in enriching and nourishing communities across the nation. 

Every day thousands of doors across Australia receive a knock, a friendly greeting and a nourishing meal that enables residents to remain at home and engaged with their communities. 

While the tradition and values of Meals on Wheels remain true to its’ origins, a focus on engaging people of all ages from all walks of life is unfolding and bringing renewed energy, ideas and vision to help the organisation continue to provide a vital service. 

The economic value of the Meals on Wheels service is in excess of $350 million per year. 

While services receive some government funding, they could not operate without volunteers to keep costs down and make meals affordable for clients. 

People can self-refer to Meals on Wheels if they believe they may benefit from the service or they can be referred, for example by a health practitioner or family member.

Meals on Wheels is always looking for new volunteers to contribute just a few hours a fortnight and if interested in 

lending your support please contact the local office on 6942 4695 or email ctamow@bigpond.com.

Cootamundra also has a strong band of corporate volunteers with the delivering of meals undertaken by local businesses - a practice which enriches the volunteers as much as the clients.