Meals on Wheels needs more volunteers

The Prince George Council of Seniors’ Meals on Wheels program has become a victim of its own success.

The program is desperate for more volunteers after seeing the volume of meals delivered more than double from a year ago.

As it stands, it delivers more than 1,000 meals per month and has about 80 regular clients.

The current client load is pushing the volunteer time commitment past the usual one to one and a half hours, organizers say.

The meals are delivered to seniors in the city’s bowl area on weekdays.

Volunteer drivers pick up the packaged hot meals at the Seniors Activity Centre at Fourth Avenue and Brunswick Street at 10:45 a.m., deliver to individual client’s homes, then return insulated bags to the kitchen for the next day. Each route averages 10 or more clients.

Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles and donate their time and gas. Most volunteers drive once per week.

Although more year-round volunteers would be helpful, the program is also welcoming short-term volunteers for the summer months – particularly on Wednesdays – while regular volunteers are away on vacation.

Those interested must complete a volunteer application form and provide a criminal record check and driver’s abstract, as well as have a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.

Forms are available at the Seniors Resource Centre, 721 Victoria St.

For more information, contact Nicole Currie at 250 564 5888 or Nicole.pgcos@ gmail.com.