The volunteers at City of Canterbury Bankstown Meals on Wheels have been at the heart of this critical service for over 55 years – and this Volunteer Week, they’re calling out for more help from the local community.
Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor, Khal Asfour said the Meals on Wheels service was a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable people in CBCity.
“I’ve been out with Meals on Wheels myself and have experienced the incredible work of our volunteers. I was struck by the great feeling you get when you meet a client, who may be elderly or disabled, and really depends on our service. It feels wonderful to be able to supply what they need – both a nutritious meal and the social interaction that keeps them engaged in our community,” Mayor Asfour said.
“I love the Meals on Wheels volunteers that come, they’re basically family,” said Meals on Wheels client, Salma Abdo, who is legally blind.
Carla Antoinette, who delivers food to Salma, enjoys volunteering with Meals on Wheels so much that she devotes a monthly day off work to volunteer – and has been doing so for seven years.
“It’s a great experience. It’s not just about delivering meals, it’s about forming a relationship with our clients and getting to know them. It really warms your heart and I would recommend volunteering with Meals on Wheels to anyone,” Carla said.
Meals on Wheels is a volunteer-led service which delivers about 55,000 meals a year to those who cannot cater for themselves.
“The volunteers really are at the heart of the service and we can’t make it happen without them. We’d love to have more members of our community get involved,” said Mayor Asfour.
You can find out more about volunteering with Meals on Wheels at cb.city/MealsVolunteer or call 9707 9646.
