Behind every Meals on Wheels delivery there’s a dedicated volunteer and a warm smile.
On this National Meals on Wheels Day, Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) proudly celebrates the volunteers who are committed to caring for their community while enhancing their own lives through meaningful service.
Meals on Wheels supports the health and wellbeing of more than 200,000 older Australians, including more than 50 clients in East Gippsland, every weekday. This vital service delivers hundreds of meals each week, thanks to the dedication of more than 130 active volunteers who give their time weekly, fortnightly, or monthly across the Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale, and Paynesville areas.
For clients, it’s more than just a meal – it’s a quality dish delivered by a caring community member. For volunteers, it’s an opportunity to build positive social connections and offer service with a smile. Each delivery is a chance to check in, catch up, and provide a friendly presence.
In Lakes Entrance, Kaye and Bob are regular Meals on Wheels drivers.
Once a month, they hop into their SUV, collect their insulated delivery bags from GLCH’s new Esplanade site, and spend just over an hour delivering freshly prepared meals to clients.
Kaye emphasises the importance of Meals on Wheels as a valuable community resource that not only cares for clients but also requires just a small amount of time.
One of their regular clients, Geoff from Kalimna, may not always be able to greet the volunteers personally, but he deeply appreciates the service. A strong supporter of local enterprise, Geoff also praises the nourishing quality of the meals from Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.
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“It’s a good service, and I’m certainly very happy with what’s provided,” Geoff said.
“It all works well.”
Though the delivery visits are brief, the relationships formed between clients and volunteers over time create a lasting sense of safety, comfort and reassurance. Volunteers often share they feel they gain more from the experience than they give.
GLCH is always looking for individuals or businesses willing to donate just a few hours of their time to deliver meals. Volunteering is flexible, allowing you to contribute as often as suits your schedule – whether it’s weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.
To find out more about volunteering opportunities with GLCH, visit the website.
