Meals on Wheels celebrates 70 years in SA
A special giveaway was planned for clients in celebration of the organisation's big birthday.
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Meals on Wheels has celebrated 70 years in South Australia.
In light of this, MOW SA put together one of their biggest giveaways, delivering 5000 free meals to recipients across the state.
Local businesses joined volunteers at metropolitan and regional branches as part of the celebration.
Chair and secretary Mary Rowley said the Murray Bridge branch had been extremely grateful to be able to provide free meals thanks to their sponsor, Thomas Foods International.
The branch recently awarded volunteers who had given years of service, and also celebrated delivering its one millionth meal this year.
TFI HR manager Sharon Pearson and HR coordinator Danielle Carr met branch volunteers in the meals pick-up room.
Each client was delivered a three course meal, prepared, cooked and placed in hot boxes ready for delivery by the kitchen staff at the Murray Bridge Soldiers Memorial Hospital, complete with a card detailing who had donated it.
Thomas Foods staff members Danielle Carr and Sharon Pearson with volunteers Maria McSherry, Mary Rowley, Anne Kesting, Chris Law, Lois Gravestocks and Mick Redden; Janette Hancock, Joy Schulz and Sandra Walding; volunteer Chris Law pushes a trolley down the path to a vehicle for delivery. Photos: Mary Rowley.
Sharyn Broer, Meals on Wheels SA CEO, said the strong response highlighted the community’s commitment to helping people live healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives.
“Meals on Wheels continues to build a lasting legacy of social connection and wellbeing,” she said.
“This is fundamental in keeping older Australians healthy and independent in their own homes, and our volunteer workforce plays a vital role in making this happen.”
August 9, which is Meals on Wheels Day, is the date Doris Taylor MBE founded the organisation in 1954.
Over the course of the past 70 years, the organisation has delivered more than 50 million meals, making it one of the state’s largest volunteer organisations.
“After 70 years, Meals on Wheels SA is still going strong,” Ms Broer said.
“We look forward to many more years of improving the lives of South Australians through great food and meaningful connection.”
Murray Bridge MOW are always looking for more volunteers to help deliver hot, nourishing meals.
- More information: Call 1800 854 453 or visit www.mealsonwheelssa.org.au.
