Community Care Durham is pleased that so many elected representatives have volunteered to help deliver Meals on Wheels for the organization during Community Champions Week, March 18 to 22.

Every year March for Meals is celebrated by organizations across Ontario to increase awareness of this valuable service and to promote community engagement with the program.

Volunteers are vital to the success of our Meals on Wheels program. They tirelessly deliver this critical service providing nutritious food to clients such as Community Care Durham client Donna Manzer. Donna is 84-year-old and lives on her own. She says it is difficult cooking for herself.

“Since I’ve been on my own, I don’t like cooking for one,” she said.

Living alone has its challenges, but Donna is grateful for the connections she makes with the friendly volunteers who deliver her Meals on Wheels.

“Community Care has been great delivering it (food) right to my door,” she said. “The volunteers change up from time to time, but they’re so nice.”

Last year Community Care Durham delivered 123,945 meals to clients across Durham Region helping feed vulnerable seniors and individuals with disabilities while also providing friendly visits, and safety checks.

CEO James Meloche said Meals on Wheels are crucial in reducing food insecurity, social anxiety, and isolation, specifically for seniors.

“The service provides far more than a meal, especially for clients who live alone,” Meloche said. “That could be their only interaction with someone all day.”

Meloche praised the elected representatives taking part in this year’s Community Champions Week. It is important to spread the word about Meals on Wheels and they are wonderful ambassadors for the program.

“We are lucky to have their help. Whenever we ask, they are there for us,” he said.

Community Care Durham is always looking for volunteers for the program. Volunteering only takes a couple of hours a week and volunteers help package and deliver meals to clients across Durham Region.

For more information or to find out how you can volunteer, please visit www.communitycaredurham.on.ca.

Media Contact:
Ian McMillan, Communications Specialist
Community Care Durham
Phone: 905-430-1863 (cell: 905-431-8700)
Email: imcmillan@communitycaredurham.on.ca