August 31, 2017
Meals On Wheels volunteers from across the South Burnett gathered at the SBcare Centre in Kingaroy this week to help mark National Meals On Wheels Day and enjoy a much-deserved morning tea.
The volunteers deliver more than 300 meals every week in Kingaroy, Nanango, Blackbutt, Yarraman, Wondai and Proston.
The service is co-ordinated by Prim Laurentiussen, from SBcare in Kingaroy.
All the meals are cooked in the Meals On Wheels kitchen at SBcare. Chef Paul Stoddart and his helpers come in three days a week to prepare the meals.
Depending on where the client lives, some meals are delivered hot to be eaten straight away, or chilled or frozen.
“Looking around the room today inspires hope for the future of Meals On Wheels,” SBcare CEO Cheryl Dalton said.
“Without volunteers we could not service the community in the way we do.
“I want to acknowledge and thank the people, groups and businesses who support Meals On Wheels across the South Burnett and acknowledge our newest partners from Wondai.”
The Wondai MOW service came under the SBcare banner about 18 months ago.
Mrs Dalton said SBcare would be making some changes over the next year or so “to provide meals in a way that the clients of Meals On Wheels want”.
“We are not sure what this will look like yet, and are working through an investigation project to help create sustainability and meet expectations for the clients and the community,” she said.
Co-ordinator Prim Laurentiussen said a typical Meals On Wheels day starts at 5:30am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“This is when Paul (Stoddart) arrives to begin planning and cooking the meals,” she said.
“Paul’s role encompasses a broad range of duties as a great deal of thought goes into menu planning to ensure meals are not only tasty and interesting but are also healthy and nutritious.
“The background planning includes working to a framed budget, providing ongoing variety in meals whilst also considering individual preferences or food allergies.
“The remainder of the team arrives between 6:00am and 7:00am.”
Mrs Laurentiussen praised the kitchen team: Paul Stoddart, Sandra Lincoln, Carol Jones, Des Lowe, Trudi Green, Louise Bonwick, Chloe Smith, Mavis Rasmussen, Margaret Shanahan and Lesley Orenda.
Queensland Meals On Wheels Regional Support Officer Deb Dennien said the organisation had 10,000 clients across Queensland, and 15,000 volunteers.
About two million meals are delivered every year in Queensland.
