The Sooke Meals on Wheels program is calling for more volunteers to ensure the operation will continue three days a week.
Alma Anslow, Meals on Wheels president, said the non-profit organization is at risk of cutting down services to just two days a week if more volunteers are not found.
Currently running a skeleton of about 50 volunteers, the program requires stand- by cooks, cook helpers and drivers in the event of illness or absence of volunteers.
The organization offers hot, balanced meals on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, which are delivered to client’s homes at a cost of $4.50. There are currently 24 clients who rely on the program, many of whom are seniors and incapacitated individuals who cannot cook themselves.
Anslow said clients also buy extra frozen home-cooked food for days when there are no home deliveries.
But one of the main services the organization provides is social interaction.
“You have to remember, with an older driver, they know everybody on route and they stop and have a chat with everybody,” Anslow said.
Donna Peters joined Meals on Wheels as a volunteer five months ago, returning after volunteering for years previously.
“I believe in the program for seniors that aren’t able to cook for themselves,” Peters said. “ I think a lot of people wouldn’t eat as well as they do if it wasn’t for the meals that are made here.”
Meals are prepared at the Sooke Community Hall, and cooks will be in the kitchen from 9 a.m to 12:30 p.m. All meals include a bun, soup, entree of meat, starch, two vegetables and a desert.
Drivers are on the road for about an hour and a half each shift, dropping food off to residences.
Cooks and drivers work in four person shifts, twice a month.
The Sooke operation is the final volunteer run Meals on Wheels program on the Island.
If you can help in any way call Alma at 250-642-2184 or May at 250-642-4973.