Meals crew steps up
INNISFAIL Meals on Wheels volunteers have been praised by the local council for their help during natural disasters.
The service delivers meals daily to pensioners and the disabled across the region – however volunteers also had a role in helping emergency services during times of crisis.
Cassowary Coast regional councillor Mark Nolan said they had become an essential part of the area’s response capability.
“When extreme weather disasters strike, as they do from time to time in the tropical north, there would be a sudden influx of emergency services personnel afterwards to help,” Mr Nolan said.
“To support those personnel, they need to be fed – Meals on Wheels volunteers effectively became part of our response team.”
As a result of their role in helping crews, the Innisfail Meals on Wheels team are based at the town’s disaster management centre.
“After an extreme ‘event’ they would make it possible for first-responders to do what they do,” Mr Nolan said.
“They are invaluable.” During Cyclone Yasi in 2011, volunteers fed teams of more than 1500 emergency personnel who rushed to the area in the aftermath.
Mr Nolan is also the president of the Innisfail branch, accepting the role after he learned about the wide-ranging impacts of the service in regional areas.
“They are invaluable allyear-round in helping our elderly and vulnerable residents feel socially-connected,” he said.
“It’s not just about providing a meal, many of our volunteers stop for a chat, or provide a kind word.
“People want to feel connected to other people, and our volunteers help make that possible.”
Meals are cooked fresh every day and over 40 volunteer drivers deliver them to clients right across Innisfail.
Group manager Rita Russo said they were always looking for more volunteers to join the group.
“If someone wants to help out, we never knock anyone back,” she said.
While volunteers are taking a well deserved four-day break over Christmas, their clients have been taken care of.
“We did up frozen packages (for each day) and we sent them out last Monday,” Ms Russo said.
“The frozen meals are all microwavable.”
Ms Russo also echoed Mr Nolan about the importance of the service for the elderly.
“I think it’s important for our elderly to see other people and to keep up their nutritional needs,” she said.
To volunteer, call 4061 1919.