StettlerLocal.com February 3rd, 2022 @ 9:00 am
Stettler & District Home Support Program coordinator Terri Visser explained the Meals on Wheels program in Stettler and how individuals, businesses, and organizations can volunteer their time to the program supporting local seniors and people with disabilities.
Groups, organizations, and businesses who volunteer are asked to provide one ‘Delivery Coordinator’ who coordinates delivery dates with the Stettler Home Support office. This person is then responsible for organizing two vehicles per day for meal deliveries. The volunteers arrive at Points West Living to pick up the pre-assembled meals at 11:45 am and each vehicle delivers half of the meals. The names and addresses of each delivery are on the list and each meal container. When the meal is delivered, the volunteer opens the styrofoam carrier for the client to remove their food and then food carriers are returned to Points West for the next day.
Financial donations are always welcomed, and the donations are taken directly off of the price charged to clients. Superfluity Stettler is a generous donor, and current meals can be offered at a dollar off their usual price due to their support.
Meals on Wheels delivers meals from Monday to Friday each week, and clients can choose the days they want meals delivered. Terri says that a busy delivery day will see 25 meals delivered. The pandemic has increased the demand for the service as seniors have been less likely to venture out.
Terri says that if a client does not answer the door or does answer the door but seems unwell, there is a number for her on the list, and she can be contacted to perform a wellness check.
Around the holidays, volunteers can be more challenging to find, so they will often divide the holiday weeks and split them up amongst several volunteer groups.
Stettler Home Support provides other services to local seniors and people with disabilities, including housekeeping, laundry, hand and foot nail care, respite care and errands for those in the community who need help. The organization operates under a volunteer board and is looking for board members.
If you are interested in volunteering to deliver meals, becoming a volunteer board member or donating to Home Support Services, please contact Terri Visser at Home Support Stettler (403) 742-6568 info@stettlerhomesupport.com.