Meals on Wheels - an army of volunteers needed

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31 August 2005
JB127/05

While there is large force of active Meals on Wheels volunteers around Australia, more younger people are urgently needed, the Australian Government Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, said today.

Speaking on National Meals on Wheels Day, Ms Bishop said an army of almost 80,000 volunteers deliver more than 14 million meals a year, offering older people, people with disabilities and people with health problems, the opportunity to stay in their own homes.

"However, there is an urgent need for more people to be recruited to keep this vital service viable, and I urge younger people to become involved," Ms Bishop said.

"Meals on Wheels volunteers can make a huge difference to significant numbers of older people who want to remain living in the comfort of their own homes in their own communities, rather than prematurely entering residential aged care facilities.

"The versatility of the service is demonstrated by the many different kinds of cuisine being provided to people from other cultures as well as the special diets supplied to people with special needs, like diabetics."

Ms Bishop said Meals on Wheels traditionally attracts older volunteers to its service but it needs to encourage younger people to make the effort to help share the load.

"I appeal to the retired or people in part time employment to see the great value in volunteering their services to Meals on Wheels, a program that has provided meals, comfort and company to millions of Australians over many decades."

Ms Bishop said there are 300 registered Meals on Wheels-type organisations that provide their services through the Home and Community Care program, a joint Australian and State and Territory Government initiative, which invests more than $40 million in delivered meals.

"Meals on Wheels services are available in most communities, so if you have some time to make a real difference to older Australians, contact your local council to see where you can contribute."

Media contact: Kay McNiece, 0412 132 585