As the nation marks National Meals on Wheels Day on August 27, thousands of volunteers and community members are celebrating one of Australia’s most enduring and trusted aged care services you can count on.
For more than 70 years, Meals on Wheels services across the country have delivered more than just nutritious meals. Powered by a 35,000-strong volunteer network, the service delivers daily wellbeing checks and vital moments of social connection to some of Australia’s most isolated and vulnerable people.
“In a changing and sometimes flawed aged care system, Meals on Wheels stands strong as a trusted, reliable service,” said Paul Sadler, Chair of Meals on Wheels™ Australia.
“As aged care changes, our promise doesn’t – to show up, nourish and care.”
Paul Sadler
Each day, volunteers across almost 600 local services deliver freshly prepared meals directly to people’s homes, often becoming the only person a client sees that day. In many cases, volunteers have raised the alarm after discovering a client has had a fall or medical episode.
Huber Social Impact Research shows that only 20 per cent of Meals on Wheels clients have more than one meaningful social connection in a day, highlighting the critical role the service plays in combating social isolation and loneliness.
“Meals on Wheels isn’t just a service; it’s a lifeline. For over 70 years, we’ve been the quiet constant at the heart of aged care,” Mr Sadler added.
Meals on Wheels Australia is using National Meals on Wheels Day to recognise the extraordinary contribution of its volunteers and to encourage more Australians to get involved by volunteering, donating or spreading the word.
