The Meals on Wheels program is pleading for English and Chinese-speaking volunteers to deliver meals to homebound people in Richmond and Vancouver.
The program – a non-profit organization operated by Care BC - serves 500 meals every day in the Lower Mainland.
Seniors, sick or disabled residents are greeted by volunteers with hot meals and a big smile daily at their homes.
However, more volunteers are needed to ensure that those people could be fed in time.
Vicki Ma, volunteer program manager at Care BC, told the Richmond News that the 50-year-old Meals on Wheels is more than feeding empty stomachs.
“One of our clients remembered (a) volunteer’s birthday, so she baked a cake to wish our volunteer a happy birthday when they came to deliver food,” said Ma, adding that many friendships have been made through the program.
Kevin Yip, marketing communications manager at Care BC, said some volunteers from the program have been working with clients for more than 20 years and stay in touch with each other, just like being part of the family.
Aside from bringing meals, volunteers provide an informal safety check and a friendly chit-chat, according to Ma.
People who apply for the program are encouraged to spend two or three hours per week. If volunteers have a driving license, but don’t have a vehicle, they are allowed to use Modo and Zipcar for free.
Anyone interested in Meals on Wheels can visit www.carebc.ca/volunteering.html.
