Meals on Wheels: Help Needed!

Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? The Meals on Wheels Programat TheSouthern Maine Agency on Agingis seeking compassionate volunteers to help deliver nutritious meals and provide companionship to isolated seniors in York and Cumberland Counties.Our Meals on Wheels Program is more than just a meal; it is also a wellness check and friendly visit. Volunteers and staff are trained to make sure that clients are safe when they make their delivery. This brief check helps to provide peace of mind to our clients and their families.

Why Volunteer with Meals on Wheels?

• Make an Impact: Your efforts will provide vital support to vulnerable individuals who may be homebound and isolated.
• Meet New People: Connect with fellow volunteers and build lasting relationships with the clients you help.

Roles & Schedules Available:

• Meal Delivery: Help deliver prepared meals to clients, ensuring they receive nutritious food. Volunteers and staff deliver up to five frozen meals to each program participant on Tuesdays or Thursdays and generally arrive between 10:30am-12:30pm
• Meal Packer: Help with meal preparation and packaging to ensure meals are ready for delivery. Interested volunteers must have availability in the mornings/afternoons on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
• Phone Pal: Call Meals on Wheels clients once/week to offer an additional wellness check, and companionship over the phone! Calls can be made on any schedule that is convenient for the match.

Drivers and packers are brought on as-needed, so be aware there may be some time between openings. All applicants will be considered, however we are primarily seeking:

Our Portland/Westbrook Meal Site is seeking a driver and some backup drivers to help May-October. The site delivers on Tuesdays and Thursdays from around 9:30am into the early afternoon. Our South Portland Meal Site is looking for 3 additional packers that can help on Tuesday mornings beginning at 7:30am! Our Windham Meal Site is looking for another driver to help deliver in Windham and Gray on Tuesdays or Thursdays from around 9:30am into the early afternoon. Our Sanford Meal Site is hoping to have another driver to deliver in the Acton/Shapleigh area on Tuesdays or Thursdays from around 9:30 into the early afternoon.

Requirements:

• A friendly attitude and a willingness to help others.
• Reliable transportation for meal deliveries (we offer mileage reimbursement at .55/mile).
• A commitment to being punctual and dependable.
• Attend a Southern Maine Agency on Aging Volunteer Orientation and complete a Volunteer Enrollment Form & background check.
• At least a 6-month commitment

Take it from a current volunteer!
"The clients really look forward to our Tuesday meal distribution visits - as much as I look forward to seeing and checking in on them. One caregiver told me that her patient wanted to get dressed on Tuesdays because she so looked forward to seeing us come to the door. I can't think of many other things I have done in my lifetime that have given me more satisfaction. The group I have had the pleasure of volunteering with is so inspiring...They do this work because they love what they do and who they are doing it for. You become one large family all serving together."

To join us, or to learn more, contact SMAA Volunteer Services at [email protected] or 207-396-6595.