MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS TALK OF HELPING THOSE IN NEED

If not for volunteers like Kathryn and Joe Farrugia, many seniors and those with a disability in Durham Region would go without a meal.

The Farrugias, who live in Pickering, have been delivering Meals on Wheels for 13 years, consistently making sure those who need food get it.

"We do it once a week, every Tuesday and we love it," said Kathryn, who takes the meals to the door, while Joe is the "wheel man."

Kathryn said the process is easy and not very time-consuming.

She said it takes the couple, seniors themselves, about an hour and a half each week to deliver meals to between fiveand-nine clients, depending on the route.

"Typically, they're older people. Usually they're between 75 and 95 years of age and living at home. We have a set route and the odd time we have somebody new," Kathryn said. "It's a pleasure to do it. I know about their kids and their grandkids. I feel privileged that they can tell me about themselves. There are times when some of them need a little bit of extra help," Kathryn said.

While the Farrugias have been dependable regulars, Community Care Durham (CCD), which administers Meals on Wheels in Durham and other volunteer-run social programs, could use a lot more like them.

The number of active volunteers CCD has been able to rely on has dropped 50 per cent in just three years, from 1,862 in 2019-2020 to 922 in 2021-22.

Much of the drop is centred around the pandemic outbreak. Still, CCD chief executive officer James Meloche said the organization is hoping to boost the volunteer numbers to help take the pressure off the overburdened volunteers who remain.

"We're challenged because our numbers have dwindled, making it a strain to meet the demand in the community," Meloche said.

"Even after the pandemic, we were delivering 100,000 meals a year. Right now, I expect we'll hit about 125,000 meals. We're delivering more meals with fewer volunteers," he said. Meloche also pointed out that Meals on Wheels volunteers also act as wellness check-ins for the seniors and those with disabilities to which they deliver.

He said he worries about the steady rise of "aging in our community and food security issues and we know isolation

is a huge issue for people's well-being. It's a bind on both sides."

He said CCD also has other programs it offers that are looking for volunteers including:

• packaging the meals for Meals on Wheels, which takes a couple of hours and can be done once a week, every two weeks or every three weeks;

• a community food box program, where a pantry box is delivered to clients across Durham once a week. Volunteers pack boxes on Thursday, and deliveries are made on Fridays;

• the COPE mental health program, which involves in-person or counselling sessions with peer groups. Training is provided for volunteers by CCD;

• a friendly visiting program for those who want to develop a relationship between a senior and a volunteer. It involves paying a visit to a senior in isolation;

What's required, Meloche said, is a police record check, but also, he added, "the most important skill is compassion and a desire to work in the community. We can teach skills. A driver's licence is also helpful. We have volunteer appreciation events and try to provide rewards for volunteers."

He's hoping the organization can recruit another 200 volunteers for all its programs to help offset the more than 900 it's lost in the last three years.

"We're looking for people who really want to find value in returning something to the community," he said.

CCD won't have to worry about the Farrugias.

"When they (seniors she delivers to) need help, I'm retired, I've got lots of time. I look at it's like giving back. We're extremely blessed. Let's turn our good fortune toward someone else because we can. As long as they let me do it, I'll do it," Kathryn said.

If you are interested in volunteering or want more information, check out communitycaredurham.on.ca.