Meals on Wheels is ‘in dire need’ of volunteers
SHE may be 70 and a stroke survivor, but that doesn’t stop Rosemary Chemaly from volunteering at Meals on Wheels.
Chemaly gives one day a week to the NGO, which feeds thousands of elderly people every month. She packs hot meals into ice-cream containers, loads them into bakkies and delivers them to dozens of people who are unable to fend for themselves.
“I got here at 7am today and helped pack 274 meals, and then I will be the ‘hopper’ which means I go out with a volunteer driver and drop off the meals.
“Today we are going to Quigney and West Bank. I am so happy to help instead of sitting at home watching TV,” said Chemaly, who stashes one of her patchwork blankets in the bakkie in case someone needs more than lunch.
“The other day I gave a meal to a man who had both his legs amputated and he needed a blanket, so I gave him one I’d made.”
Without compassionate people like her, Meals on Wheels would be unable to function, but it is desperate for more volunteers.
“We are in dire need,” said secretary-treasurer Ashton Botha. “We have about 30 volunteers but need many more, even if they can just help for two hours a week.”
Kitchen manager Hilary Lucas would be especially grateful for help peeling and dicing vegetables, which would free her and her three helpers to cook and clean.
When the Dispatch visited the bustling kitchen in Smartt Road, Nahoon yesterday, they were ladling steaming mince, spaghetti, potatoes and salad into recycled ice-cream cartons.
The food is plain but nutritious, and for some, it is the only hot meal that passes their lips.
Meals on Wheels also supplies 24 soup kitchens. It receives a small state grant but is funded mainly by service clubs, businesses and private individuals.
Call 043-735-2166 if you can help.