NEW volunteers are being sought by a local charity organisation that provided more than 300,000 meals last year.
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Bathurst Meals on Wheels Services (BMOW), which will celebrate its 53rd birthday later this year, is partly funded by government, but relies heavily on the labour of its team of packing and delivery volunteers.
The not-for-profit charity organisation delivers healthy meals to clients’ homes, providing regular social contact and a friendly check to see that all is well so clients can continue to live in their own homes.
“Last year we provided over 300,000 prepared meals to frail and dependent residents in Bathurst, Oberon and a number of other meals and health services stretching from the Nepean in the east through the Central West and to the Orana, Far West, Riverina/Murray Basin and the Southern Highlands,” services manager Linda Roszkiewicz said.
Our packing staff and delivery drivers, including our volunteer long distance drivers, are critical.
- Services manager Linda Roszkiewicz.
“Our packing staff and delivery drivers, including our volunteer long distance drivers, are critical to the efficient delivery of these meals.”
Ms Roszkiewicz said BMOW’s challenge was to “best attract, train and support our wonderful team of volunteers”.
She said the BMOW board of management, staff and volunteers were focusing on the staged introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
“While it is known that the NDIS will bring a raft of change in the provision of care with its introduction, we are thoroughly assessing the transitional process to NDIS to assist those who access the Bathurst Meals on Wheels Services as part of our day-to-day operations,” she said.
“At this stage, we feel we are quite well informed and prepared under the terms and conditions of the NDIS to continue, and more than likely grow, the number of services we provide.”
Board member Colin Hope said BMOW hoped to hear from those who would be willing to volunteer.
“If you feel you would like to offer a bit of your spare time to a wonderful community service as a volunteer delivering meals, having a bit of a chat and brightening the day of our wonderful and appreciative clients, then please contact us on 6331 8231 and talk to Sarah initially, or email us at bxmow@bigpond.net.au,” Mr Hope said.