I may not go back to delivering meals-on-wheels

It would be 42 miles for the drivers working the route I do. Other routes are probably closer to the pick-up point, some maybe farther. The previous routine was that the caterer would send trucks with the food to all the local senior centers and the drivers would pick them up there. However, all the county senior centers are closed. That's why the pick-up at the caterer's. I did a MapQuest plot of the route to give an idea of what it entails.

route.jpg
 

That is definitely too far, for most volunteer drivers that I have known.

It seems they could look for some other type of drop-off/ pick-up places, while the senior centers are closed. Or else they might need to find some funds, for a few paid workers.
 
debodun said:
I received an email from the meal program director saying they might resume MOW deliveries in August. There is a catch, there's a weeks worth of meals to be delivered on one day a week. I don't know if all that food would fit in my little Civic. Added to the fact that the meals will not be picked up at the local senior center as they were previously, but the driver would have to get them from a restaurant 21 miles away. That would be 42 extra miles for a round trip. I think they're asking a lot from volunteers.
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For some reason these posts keep appearing in my New Post list, even though the were a couple of years ago?

All credit to you for previous volunteering to do this. It does seem to be a big ask though to do all of this for free. I know someone in the UK who worked part time for MOW. They received a uniform and a small van, fuel already paid for, and she was paid by the hour.

Ive just checked various councils and they pay £10.50 to £11.50 an hour ($13.10 to $14.40)
 
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fuzzybuddy said:
I was on MOW for a while. I'm not sure what the criterior was for charging, but it cost me $360/month for 2 meals a day, five days a week. I don't know if the drivers were paid. But since I live in the sticks, where everybody is half an hour away, by car, those drivers were racking up the miles. I have to really thank those wonderful drivers. They not only delivered meals, they kept an eye out for you- your medical condition, etc. Thank you, with all my heart.
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Why were you charged for MOW I never heard of that.

debodun said:
I received an email from the meal program director saying they might resume MOW deliveries in August. There is a catch, there's a weeks worth of meals to be delivered on one day a week. I don't know if all that food would fit in my little Civic. Added to the fact that the meals will not be picked up at the local senior center as they were previously, but the driver would have to get them from a restaurant 21 miles away. That would be 42 extra miles for a round trip. I think they're asking a lot from volunteers.
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I thank you for what you did to help others but Yes they are asking a bit much of volunteers.
 
perplexed said:
Why were you charged for MOW I never heard of that.
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Where I live.. all MOW are charged... here's the prices for those over 55..

Main meal and a hot or cold dessert – £5.78
You need to order a main meal. Then it's your choice if you also order breakfast and/or a tea time meal.
Breakfast – £3.50
Tea time meal – £4.20

Pop-in visits - £5.00




Can I get a meal?​

You can get a meal if:
  • You would be at risk in preparing a meal
  • You have a mental, physical, and/or learning disability
  • You are frail, confused, or housebound
  • You are unable to shop regularly for food or obtain a meal from any other source
  • Your carer is unwell or on holiday
  • You are suffering bereavement, illness, or have recently been discharged from hospital

Meals are delivered ready to eat between 11.30am and 2pm, every day of the year. We can't give you exact delivery times but, generally, we'll be with you around the same time every day.

This is the menu for summer 2023...

Screenshot-2023-05-21-at-13-03-55-ss-2023-1-pdf.png


Looks good in theory... but in reality they bear little resemblance to anything on the Menu. MY ex husband who is recovering from Prostate cancer and has COPD can barely leave his home.. so applied for MOW last year, and the food was so revolting that he couldn't eat.. and lost so much weight he was like bones covered with skin...

Just appalling that they get to serve food like this in such an inedible way
 
My husband and I volunteered to do this together for a few years. I really enjoyed the social part of delivering the food and then chatting with the recipient for a bit. My husband, did the driving and record keeping. We were supposed to log the time of delivery, so everyone knew about when to expect their food (no cellphones needed) and if they called the senior center kitchen and said they hadn't received it (dementia) they could be reassured that it was there, probably in the fridge. I'm no longer fit enough to run up and down all those front sidewalk stairs now, but I'm glad it's being reinstated.
 
I am almost sure MOW are free here unless they changed the rules, sad the food is so bad it can't be eaten though!
Yes I understand they check on people too which is great. Some people only get to see the drivers only which is even more sad!
 
The meals are $3.50 here. I looked to see if they had gone up and I think that's the same as they were before the pandemic. I had helped a friend sign up for them not long before. They were not a success for her and piled up in the refrigerator.

Seniors here have the option of going to lunch at multiple places around town to socialize with others while they eat their meal. Home delivery is only for shut-ins.
 
I've probably saved the lives of some people. When they don't come to the door, I am obligated to investigate. I've found several in dire straits and had to call an ambulance. Sometimes they don't return to the delivery list and I assume their responsible people have made other arrangements (i.e. assisted care) or they passed. Sometimes they return to the list (y).

This one guy, who seldom came to the door, had a vicious dog. I'd try to open the door a crack to call out, but that dog just snarled and snapped and threw itself against the door. Once I opened the door a little further and got nipped for my trouble (hardly broke the skin, though). We aren't allowed to leave meals without seeing the client, so I had to report it and soon the guy was off the list. I guess he wouldn't comply about keeping his dog isolated during meal deliveries. I don't know what kind of dog it was, only big and black; those tooth marks were about 4 inches apart.

dog bite.jpg
 
There’s a fee here for the meals. My friend who delivered meals got an honorarium to help with the gas.
 
That's too bad! You were providing a very valuable service. They will likely lose more volunteers.
 

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