Numbers needed for meal delivery program

STAFF at Central Highlands Rural Health are putting the callout for new volunteers to deliver food to people in Hepburn Shire as part of the Meals on Wheels program.

With nearly 40 people delivering 120 meals a month, CHRH executive director of community operations Phil Catterson said the organisation has struggled to rebuild their numbers following the pandemic.

“This is pretty urgent at the moment,” he said. “We’ve always found lots of volunteers but during COVID it’s since dried up and become difficult to regroup.

“Since recommencing post-COVID, those past volunteers haven’t returned. We need an extra two volunteers on a Tuesday and an extra four on a Thursday at both Clunes and Daylesford.

“The numbers aren’t huge but it is an ongoing commitment.”

Mr Catterson estimated the program delivers 14,500 meals a year, around 1000 meals a month, to people throughout the region.

During lockdown, the volunteer roles were filled by university students and CHRH staff who weren’t able to perform their regular duties due to restrictions.

Mr Catterson said the program provides many benefits for the community.

“It’s such a great connection for our community to have, not just a meal, but also a chat with someone as they drop in,” he said.

“There’s a lot of really vulnerable people we supply these meals to that with the cost of living, this is not only their connection but their sustenance to keep them going.”

To express interest in volunteering for CHRH’s Meals on Wheels program, visit the organisation’s website.