Winter Warriors: Meals on Wheels volunteers brave Ottawa’s harshest season with a smile
As temperatures drop and snow piles up, the weather in Ottawa can certainly be daunting in the winter. It’s more challenging to get out and about, especially for the clients we serve who may have disabilities and mobility issues. At this time of year it’s especially important to be receiving a hot meal at lunchtime.
At Meals on Wheels, we make every effort to ensure uninterrupted service to our clients so that they can count on this daily lunch delivery as well as the weekly frozen deliveries. We simply couldn’t accomplish this without our dedicated team of volunteers. They are bringing, not just important nutritional support, but also a friendly smile and a check in which can be even more valuable at this time of year.
“I have been delivering for Meals on Wheels since 2014. It’s a volunteer role that I know is helping a lot of people. It’s easy to fit into my work life and other activities and only takes a couple of hours. You get to know the clients on your route. You look forward to seeing them and they are happy to see you. I know they rely on me to bring them a hot meal in all kinds of weather and I’m happy to be a “Winter Warrior” for Meals on Wheels”. – Mark Farrell
The steps our volunteers take to be prepared for winter driving are an important part of the continuity of the service. These winter warriors are out there ensuring meals get delivered and that takes a little bit of extra planning. Some of the ways volunteers plan ahead are by ensuring they have winter tires on in plenty of time for the change of season and having their vehicles serviced and winterized so as to be ready for winter driving and road conditions. Stocking up on salt, keeping the gas tank full and giving extra time to clean off vehicles to arrive on time for the meal pick up all help to keep the wheels rolling at Meals on Wheels.
“The dedication and reliability of our volunteers is pretty incredible. Our volunteers care so much about our clients. They know if they don’t get there that the client won’t get a hot meal and may not even see anyone that day” – Jill Daigle, Manager of Volunteer Services.
The efforts our volunteers make are appreciated and do not go unnoticed by our clients:
“Please accept my gratitude for all your efforts. In all kinds of weather and circumstances you deliver the meals and your cheerful visits lighten up my day” – MOW Client
“I appreciate you all for your kind help to bring me a meal every day. Even on cold and snowy days!” – MOW client
“I would like to say how much the families of the Meals on Wheels program appreciate the kindness and concern of all the volunteers. Through good weather and bad, they can be counted upon!” – Client family member
Clients should be aware that, although we strive to get all meals delivered, there may be times when some deliveries will be suspended, either because we have not been able to replace a driver or the volunteers have not been able to access the home due to conditions. It’s important to always ensure that you have something on hand in case we are not able to deliver your hot or frozen meals. Consider having shelf stable canned goods or extra frozen meals during winter months in the event of any service interruptions. But rest assured we will do our best to get to you!
“At Meals on Wheels (Ottawa), we have a pretty solid reputation of making sure that meals are delivered regardless of weather conditions. As long as it is safe to do so, we are going to make sure that we reach our clients, and especially our most vulnerable clients whenever possible.” – Baudouin St-Cyr, Executive Director
For information about our frozen meal program to supplement your hot meal delivery visit our website here www.mealsonwheels-ottawa.org/meal-programs/frozen-meals.
A note to volunteers:
Volunteers who are confident driving in the snow, please let us know. Some of you, like Mark, have vehicles that are better equipped to handle stormy winter road conditions. If you would be prepared to step in for an extra delivery in the event of inclement weather, please consider joining our team of spare winter warrior drivers. We will be compiling a list of volunteers who are able to pick up extra routes.
In addition, during the winter months a number of our volunteers have headed south so if you have a family member, friend, or neighbour who would be willing to help out over the winter, please consider asking them to join our team!
If you, or someone you know would like to join our team of winter warriors we’d love to hear from you. Volunteers are needed all year, but now is the time when our need is greatest! Contact us at 613-233-2424 or fill in our volunteer application here:
www.mealsonwheels-ottawa.org/volunteers/become-a-volunteer