5 Things: Meals on Wheels

Looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity that doesn't take much time? Consider Meals on Wheels, an organziation that has been delivering meals to seniors and shut-ins in Franklin Lakes for 25 years. Here's five things you should know about Meals on Wheels: 

1. What does a Meals on Wheels volunteer do? 
Working in teams of two, volunteers pick up the coolers (and instructions/directions) from Most Blessed Sacrament Church and head to the Christian Health Care Center to pick up the food. The meals are then delivered to participating seniors. Currently, there are five people receiving meals in three separate stops.  

2. What are the rewards? 
Meals on Wheels allows seniors to stay in their home and maintain their independence, while also ensuring they get two square meals a day. Typically, volunteers are warmly greeted and appreciated by those they are helping. As Volunteer coordinator Gina Venner put it, "This is soul nourishing volunteer work."

3. How much of a time commitment is involved?  
Not a lot: Each Meals on Wheels volunteer serves one or two times a month for about an hour and a half. 

4. How can I sign up? 
Contact Gina Venner, R.D., Meals on Wheels Coordinator at (201) 310-8473 or email gvenner@optonline.net. 

5. What if I know someone who needs Meals on Wheels? 
Meals on Wheels provides one hot and one cold meal a day. Monday through Friday, to senior residents who are living alone and need assistance with meals. The service costs $3.50 a day. To find out if the person qualifies, contact Gina Venner at (201) 310-8473.