Meal voucher wins state recognition

West Wimmera Shire Council’s community services team, responsible for developing a popular meal voucher program, is a finalist for a prestigious LGPRO Customer Service Award.

The award recognises an individual or team that has developed and implemented a project or program that achieved significant service improvement through an effective and innovative approach.

It is open to individuals and teams across all council departments that play a role in customer service.

The meal voucher program is a customer service initiative that rethought a traditional meals-on-wheels program by giving residents vouchers to participating local businesses.

Community services team leader Jo Grant said the program came about because of a significant drop in numbers for the traditional delivered meal service.

“We often found that many residents felt restricted when it comes to meals on wheels,” she said.

“The new meal voucher programs give the choice back to the people giving them the option when, where and what they would like to eat. The program also promotes social interactions, which is extremely important – especially in rural towns which can often feel isolating.

“We have had an amazing response, with many clients showing a range of positive health benefits because of the program, as well as local business that have benefited from more customers eating from their establishments on a more regular basis.”

The winner of the award will be announced at a Customer Service Conference on August 15 in Melbourne.