In October, Campbelltown Meals on Wheels will be celebrating 50 years of serving our community.
But the team that runs this wonderful not for profit organisation say it feels like they’re just getting started.
Meals on Wheels recently moved to bigger and better premises at Ruse, which has inspired them to plan for more services in the future.
“We are talking about things like fine dining, cooking classes and community lunches,’’ says Campbelltown Meals on Wheels manager Lyn Moores.
The bigger capacity at the new premises also came in handy when demand for their service spiked by 20 percent in the past couple of years.
“We were lucky we were in the new bigger premises – we couldn’t have done it without it,’’ Ms Moores said.
There’s also lots of extra space outside the building, where construction of a community garden is well under way.
The garden will be officially opened by the Governor-General, David Hurley, at the 50 year anniversary celebrations on Wednesday, October 19.
Mrs Hurley will be planting a tree in the garden.
Meals on Wheels in Australia started in 1953 when a Mrs E. Watts pedalled a tricycle around South Melbourne. The first meal was soup, roast lamb and plum pudding and cost around 13 cents. In 1954, the Red Cross provided a car and volunteers to deliver the meals.
Fast forward to 2022 and it’s easy to see Meals on Wheels has come a long way, in Campbelltown just as much as everywhere else.
There are more than 200 items on the current menu, from mains to premium meals, snacks, soups, salads, desserts, modified meals for people who may have swallowing issues or who are waiting on dental appointments.
“We also nutritionally monitor our clients. We watch if there are any changes, like a dramatic loss in weight, and we can make a referral to a dietitian,’’ says Ms Moores.
“It’s all about wellbeing; all the meals are done by the dietitian.
“And we don’t have anything on our menu unless four out of five of our team members like them.’’
Meals on Wheels is funded to provide meals to the frail aged, people over 65, those on the NDIS, and anyone doing it tough financially in the short term.
At present there are more than 300 clients on the books of Campbelltown Meals on Wheels.
Which makes it a big operation – and that’s where volunteers come in.
Ross Kelly, the current vice president on the board of directors, says volunteers don’t just drive the meals, they also do welfare checks, shopping and a home library service.
“And our volunteers won’t just drop the food and leave – they will say, hello, Bob or whatever, how are you, how are you going today.
“They will also help them put the food away if they can’t do it themselves.’’
Mr Kelly says there are 40 volunteers signed up with Meals on Wheels, but the list is growing.
“Which is good because even volunteers go on holidays from time to time.’’
Marilyn Soulsby, 2IC to Ms Moores for the past three years, adds: “This morning one of our new volunteers, he’s been with us for a couple of months, spent 45 minutes with one of our clients, she’s 95, just chatting.’’
Manager Lyn Moores has been at Meals on Wheels for the past eight years.
The Bradbury resident says it’s a wonderful service and is so happy to be working there.
“It’s all about giving back, it’s the love, the caring, and I’d like to think that one day there will be someone out there to give the love and the care and the support to me.’’
If you or anyone you know would like to find out more about what Meals on Wheels in Campbelltown has to offer ring 4647 2073, email clientsmowcamp@outlook.com or visit their website here or Facebook page.
I haven’t yet had any contact at all with meals on wheels, not sure how the service works,however I have heard a lot about the organisation, do we purchase from you,do we make donation,I’m at the stage where cooking has become a pain to me,therefore I dont want to cook,good luck with ll you do to help us older and vulnerable people
Please call Meals on Wheels on 4647 2073, they will be able to answer all of your questions