Service provides more than meals
FOR Toowoomba Meals on Wheels volunteer Vicky Webb, it’s all about helping those less fortunate.
Ms Webb has been volunteering her time with the St Stephen’s Meals on Wheels in Herries St for the past six and a half years.
“I come in Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and basically I’m on call for emergencies,” she said.
“I’ve worked in the office, in the diet room organising meals for those with special diets and I go out on runs.
“I’m doing sweets today and then I’m going on a run.”
Typically, Ms Webb arrives at 7am, one hour after the paid staff who prepare the meals, and is there until about 9.30 to 10am unless she is helping with the deliveries in which case she won’t leave until after midday.
But the service is more than just providing a meal.
‘‘ YOU DO GET A SENSE OF SATISFACTION THAT YOU’RE HELPING OTHERS. YOU MEET ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE, IT’S NEVER BORING.
VOLUNTEER VICKY WEBB
“Sometimes we’re the only face they’ll see all day,” Ms Webb said of clients.
“We don’t have time to stop and chat when we deliver the meals but I have at times gone back and talked to them later because some of them are so lonely.
“It’s an eye opener, some do it very tough.”
Just recently while delivering a meal to a woman who lives on her own, Ms Webb and her partner found the woman on the floor unable to get up.
“I don’t know how long she’d been there but we got the ambulance to her.
“She had a button alarm but she wasn’t wearing it.”
Meals on Wheels staff source local fresh produce for the meals in a real “paddock to plate” activity so the clients are getting fresh, nutritious meals.
About 40 volunteers are required each day, travelling in pairs to deliver the meals.
And, the service is always looking for more volunteers.
Although each volunteer requires a police check, no particular cooking or other skills are required.
“We cover Toowoomba and go out to Highfields, Kingsthorpe, Wyreema and Gowrie Junction as well,” Ms Webb explained.
“You do get a sense of satisfaction that you’re helping others. You meet all sorts of people, it’s never boring.”
Next Wednesday, Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers across Queensland will attempt to break the record for the most meals served in one day.