March is Meals on Wheels awareness month

March is Meals on Wheels month across Grey and Bruce Counties with volunteers helping Home & Community Support Services deliver meals to help raise awareness of the program.

On March 5th, Southampton Rotarians June and John Van Bastelaar helped deliver the meals that are prepared five days a week in Southampton by Harrigan’s Food Market.

(C) Mary Ellen Harrigan of Harrigan’s Food Market with June                and John Van Bastelaar (photo submitted)

Meals on Wheels in Southampton relies on 41 volunteers to deliver 5,312 meals each year with 3,892 going to Saugeen First Nation.

In partnership with the Mino Bimaadsawin Health Centre at Saugeen First Nation, volunteers deliver 36 meals to the Saugeen First Nation’s Medical Centre every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Across Grey Bruce, 596 volunteers deliver 23,632 meals in 17 communities annually.

Meals on Wheels dates back to London, England in WWII, when a  resident had more food than expected so she delivered the extra to an isolated neighbour.  Residents in Grey & Bruce counties have become volunteers to help others who are in need.

It is a unique program that takes nutritious meals to adults who are isolated or in need of help to get proper nutrition.  Volunteers who deliver meals bring hope and caring-for-neighbours values.

For more information, call 519-372-2091-#6 or 10800-267-3798 – #6 or visit: www.homecomunitysupport.com .