Roxanne Robinson, a coordinator for the Allentown-Upper Freehold chapter of Meals on Wheels, said the nonprofit organization is asking more people to join an effort that delivers nutritious food to elderly local residents.
“Our participants are very happy to receive the meals and are always very thankful for this service,” Robinson said. “Our deliverers often visit with the participants for a few minutes, as some are shut-ins who do not get many visitors. They are thrilled to receive these treats.”
Between eight and 24 regular participants receive a meal at home in Allentown and Upper Freehold Township. The number of recipients fluctuates as some people leave the area during the winter, Robinson said.
To receive a meal, a participant must be over the age of 60, or disabled, according to Robinson.
Volunteers take turns delivering the meals, but Robinson said some volunteers are going the extra mile by working extra shifts because there is a shortage of volunteers. She said between 10 and 15 additional volunteers are needed.
Interfaith Neighbors of Asbury Park provides hot meals five days a week. A typical meal consists of a hot entrée, bread, milk, juice and fruit. The meals are delivered to the Upper Freehold municipal building where they are picked up by the Meals on Wheels volunteers.
“With scheduling conflicts, occasional health problems and the fact that many of our deliverers are snowbirds, we need more volunteers,” Robinson said. “Delivering for Meals on Wheels is a very gratifying experience.
“We have shut-ins and elderly members of our community who are no longer able to prepare meals for themselves and whose family members are not able to do this for them. Our volunteers offer a little contact with the outside world and make sure our participants receive a nutritious meal. We chat for a bit and then move on to the next participant. It feels wonderful to assist people,” she said.
The deliveries take an hour or two. Individuals who are interested in volunteering with Meals on Wheels may call 609-259- 3085.