Volunteers from Shailer Park Meals on Wheels have received a $4,500 boost through the Morrison Government’s Volunteer Grants program.
The completely volunteer-led organisation is able to deliver ready to eat and frozen meals to seniors thanks to their army of volunteers who live anywhere from Tanah Merah to Cornubia and even Eagleby.
Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen MP was able to present a cheque of $4,500 to the organisation’s volunteers at a morning tea where he thanked them for their service to the community.
“Volunteerism is what makes Australia great and so unique,” Mr van Manen said.
“Us Aussies just want to lend a hand to our fellow Australian when times are tough and while the work of our volunteers may be unpaid it is not unrecognised.”
“Meals on Wheels have been working tirelessly to assist senior Australians and I’m so incredibly proud to be able to support them with this grant.”
Cornubia resident and Treasurer of Shailer Park Meals on Wheels Carol Hampson said the grants were important as they are one of the only Meals on Wheels centres that is 100% volunteer run.
“Volunteers are using their own vehicles, it’s their own petrol and their running costs.” Mrs Hampson said.
“This grant will allow us to reimburse them and help them a bit with a small payment for each run.”
Shailer Park Meals on Wheels also received additional funding as part of the Morrison Government’s $59.3 million funding boost to Meals on Wheels services during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding was for organisations to expand their existing capacity to meet the predicted demand from self-isolating seniors.
Meals on Wheels President Inge Norman said the funding allowed the organisation to quickly expand and purchase a new freezer which they have named “Big Bertha.”
“The funding was very well received and meant we could replace the old freezers and get a big, new, glass-door freezer.” Mrs Norman said.
“Now we can stock more product to feed more clients. The freezers also make it a lot easier for our volunteers to do stocktake and carry out their duties.
Shailer Park Meals on Wheels is always looking for volunteers and I encourage anyone who is in a position to do so to get in touch and see how you can help.
To volunteer or become a client visit their website here: https://spmow.org.au/
