Organizers of Meals on Wheels (MOW) in Olds are looking for volunteers, so they're holding a meeting and information session on the program Dec. 6 from 2 to 3 p.m.
That meeting will take place in a classroom at Olds Hospital and Care Centre, downstairs, next to the cafeteria.
Under the program, volunteers deliver hot meals to people who, for various reasons, can't prepare them on their own.
Clients range from young to old. They may require MOW for a long term or maybe just for a short period while they recover from surgery or injuries.
Meals on Wheels in Olds was started in 1973 by a small group led by Bridget Galvon.
Over the years, many people have become involved the program. Organizers highlight Nola Godwin. She has been involved from the beginning and still leads drivers from the United Church.
Coordinators make sure the service operates smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Current coordinators are Delorie Walsh, Debby Fleming and Elsie Machell.
But volunteers are the key to the program. Volunteers include representatives of local churches, businesses, clubs, families as well as individuals.
They each sign up to bring meals for a week or a month at a time.
“Whoever is scheduled for the day brings not only a hot meal but also a cheery hello that can brighten someone's day,” a MOW news release says.
During the past year, volunteers delivered 1,156 meals in Olds Monday through Friday, in all kinds of weather.
When the program began here in 1973, lunches were prepared at Olds College for 80 cents a meal.
Today, they're provided by Alberta Health via the Olds Hospital and Care Centre for $10 a meal. However, some people can't afford that price. So this year and last year, the cost of the meals was subsidized down to $8 a meal, thanks to funds provided from the Chic and Billy Miller Fund, the IODE and the Olds Hospital Auxiliary.
"Whoever is scheduled for the day brings not only a hot meal but also a cheery hello that can brighten someone's day."MEALS ON WHEELS NEWS RELEASE
