Lessif supports Mayors For Meals
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Communities across North America are highlighting their Meals on Wheels programs throughout the month during March For Meals – a campaign designed to promote Meals on Wheels, raise public awareness, recruit new volunteers and increase funding for MOW organizations.
In Ontario, agencies have been participating in the initiative for the past five years. In 2006, the Meals on Wheels Association of America introduced a new component of the March For Meals campaign, called Mayors For Meals.
Here in Tillsonburg, the Multi-Service Centre will be participating in the international 2013 Mayors for Meals campaign later this month.
“This year, Mayors for Meals is taking place on Wednesday, March 20. Mayor John Lessif has already agreed to come along and deliver some meals,” said Max Adam, special services coordinator and Meals on Wheels supervisor with Home Support Services at the Multi-Service Centre. “Every year, the mayor’s participation in this initiative helps raise awareness of the nutrition needs of seniors in our community.
“It’s a wonderful way to visit our seniors and raise the profile of what our dedicated volunteers do every day when they deliver our Meals on Wheels (MOW). Every year we’ve participated in this campaign our seniors have enjoyed visiting with the Mayor.”
Adam said the Multi-Service Centre understands the significance of such a program for residents throughout Tillsonburg, and is always looking for ways to improve the service. The MSC recently held a volunteer focus group session, where Adam and volunteers discussed the current status of the program, possible issues or challenges, and the direction Meals On Wheels needs to take in the future.
“There was some great and interesting feedback that came back – like implementing a reusable meal tray,” said Adam.
In addition, the Multi-Service Centre holds annual surveys to check for overall program quality, and to ensure the needs of its clients are being met.
“Our survey showed a 94 per cent client satisfaction. There’s 10 questions - you can rate the food, the service, the volunteers and the friendliness. Those are some nice results from the clients.”
Last year more than 8,600 meals were delivered through the Meals On Wheels program in Tillsonburg, serving 30-35 clients each day, from Monday to Friday on three different routes.
The Multi-Service Centre has been offering Meals on Wheels in Tillsonburg since 1981, with hot meals provided by the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital and the Village Restaurant in Norwich, along with frozen meals from Chrissy’s Catering. Approximately 51 individual volunteers and 12 corporate teams help deliver the program each month.
“Meals On Wheels is in every single community throughout North America – there’s certainly a need for it. I think people recognize the importance of being able to stay at home and enjoy a hot meal.”