Meals on Wheels and More
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“The volunteer opportunities we offer make it possible for volunteers to help the most vulnerable members of our society. They are frail and, because they are homebound, often invisible to the community at large. Without volunteers, we could not help as many people as we do, but we always need more volunteers, both as individuals and groups. KUT listeners are people who care about their community and who can make time in their lives to help those less fortunate. After all, our clients did not choose to be in need. They raised their children and paid their taxes and helped their neighbors. They want to spend their remaining years living as independently as possible and with dignity. Your listeners can help them do that.”
Meals on Wheels and More Mission:
To nourish and enrich the lives of the homebound and other people in need through programs that promote dignity and independent living.
Major Activities and Services:
We serve homebound elderly and disabled people. Our programs are designed to help them continue to live independently and safe in their own homes. Our services are made possible by caring, trained volunteers who, in their contacts with clients, make sure they are okay and, if not, know to contact us so that appropriate help can be obtained.
- Meals on Wheels – More than 3,000 volunteers deliver hot nutritious lunchtime meals each weekday to more than 2,000 homebound elderly and disabled people.
- Care Calls Volunteers make reassuring phone calls to make sure frail Meals on Wheels and More clients are okay or to talk with lonely people and help abate feelings of isolation.
- Handy Wheels Volunteers make safety related repairs in the homes of Meals on Wheels and More clients.
- Groceries to Go Volunteers grocery shop once or twice a month for people who are homebound but can still cook.
- Medi Wheels Volunteers provide transportation to regular medical and dental appointments.
- HOPE Volunteers deliver grocery sacks free monthly to poor Meals on Wheels clients who need extra food.
- Meals for Kids – Kid-friendly nutritious meals delivered for children attending after-school mentoring programs.
- Country Wheels – Seven frozen meals delivered once a week to homebound people living in remote rural areas.
Volunteer Opportunities:
For most volunteer opportunities, volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Volunteers must have a valid Texas driver’s license and automobile liability insurance. They must be able to read a map and be willing to submit to a criminal background check. We seek out volunteers who are friendly, enthusiastic, and committed to the mission of Meals on Wheels and More. Volunteers are required to attend an orientation session that lasts about one hour.
Caring volunteers deliver lunchtime meals and check on more than 2,000 clients Mondays through Friday.
Volunteers act as Meal Managers making sure the volunteers get the right meals at meal distribution sites.
Handy Wheels volunteers make safety related repairs and home improvements in the homes of Meals on Wheels and More clients.
Medi Wheels volunteers take Meals on Wheels and More clients to their medical and dental appointments.
Groceries to Go volunteers shop for homebound elderly or disabled people once or twice a month or they may take the client to the store.
H.O.P.E. volunteers pack 300 sacks monthly with nonperishable food. Other volunteers deliver these sacks once a month.
Care Calls volunteers make short daily reassuring phone calls to make sure clients are okay or longer calls twice a week to help abate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Read more about the different volunteer opportunities available and volunteer with Meals on Wheels and More.
Contact Information:
Suellen Mills ( smills@mealsonwheelsandmore.org )
Phone: 512.476.6325, ext 130
3227 E. 5th St.
Austin, Texas 78702
For More Information about Meals on Wheels and More, visit their website at www.mealsonwheelsandmore.org.
