DURHAM – A number of local politicians helped Community Care Durham celebrate March for Meals Week, March 22 to 26.

Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier, Whitby Mayor Don Mitchell, Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster, Scugog Mayor Bobbie Drew, Pickering Deputy Mayor David Pickles, and Whitby councillors Deidre Newman, Maleeha Shahid and Regional Councillor Rhonda Mulcahy all delivered Meals on Wheels throughout the week.

Their help could not have come at a better time. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the demand for meals has spiked at CCD. Last December, CCD delivered 14,547 meals, 73% higher or 6,130 more – compared to December 2019.

“Demand for this program is on the rise. Thank you to Community Care Durham for all you are doing to help our residents,” Mayor Mitchell tweeted after finishing his deliveries.

Whitby Councillor Shahid said it was a pleasure to help and Tweeted, “Thank you, Community Care Durham, for the opportunity and for all that you do for the residents.”

The benefits of CCD’s Meals on Wheels program are many. Not only does it provide nutritious food for clients, but it allows volunteers to perform valuable security and social welfare checks on isolated residents. Last year Meals on Wheels volunteer Bart Hancock noticed one of his clients wasn’t her usual self when he delivered her meal. He notified the MOW service coordinator, and the client was able to the extra help she needed to continue living independently in her home.

“They say to let them know if we see something, and that’s what I did,” Hancock said.

CCD is one of 126 not-for-profit organizations that receive provincial government funding to provide Meals on Wheels in Ontario. Last year these organizations delivered 2,717,313 meals to 43,248 Ontarians, with 86% of Meals on Wheels recipients over 65. Meals on Wheels programs provide an essential service to our home and community support sector, but many Meals on Wheels providers have not received an increase to their base funding in more than 10 years.

CCD thanks everyone who helped make March for Meals such a successful event. To learn more about our Meals on Wheels program or to volunteer, visit https://www.communitycaredurham.on.ca/services/meals-on-wheels/ or call 1-888-255-6680.