GOULBURN Meals on Wheels is facing a driver shortage crisis. They currently have a team of four drivers and four runners (that go with each driver), but there are still gaps that need to be filled in their roster.
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“Our role here at Meals on Wheels is to get hot meals to our client base, most of whom are frail aged, and we have specially designed ‘hot’ eskys to carry the meals in the car’s boot,” Goulburn branch manager Sharon Grummer said.
“I am at a loss as to why we are down to so few drivers.
“I think part of it is that a lot of drivers are due to retire soon, and there are just simply no replacements to cover them.
“For instance, on Monday, we were four drivers short, and on Thursday, I had to go out of the office on one of the runs, and I even had to sweet talk my Dad to come out with me on Friday, because we were absolutely desperate.
“The great thing is I’ve now got him out on the road helping me deliver them with his car, and he actually quite enjoys it.”
Drivers need only be available for as little as one hour each day, or on alternate days, depending on what they can do.
“For instance you could do from 11:30am to 12:30pm for the all important lunch run,” Ms Grummer said.
The primary aim would be to deliver the meals to each client, and assist the runner in getting to each home to deliver the piping hot or frozen meals, depending on what the client requires.
The areas covered include Goulburn North and South, and two other areas that are classified as Centre and Centre 2. Each volunteer also has to go through the requirement of police checks because of the vulnerability of some of the clients, but Ms Grummer says that shouldn’t put you off.
“That’s just purely a requirement that we need to have done by law,” she said.
“All drivers must have police checks, and also each driver gets a voucher for five litres of petrol for their trips. Not just $5, but five litres.”
The gaps that currently need to be filled in the driver’s roster are:
* Monday: Centre 1 run
* Wednesday: Goulburn South
* Friday: Centre 2 run.
The National Australia Bank covers the Tuesday shift, so drivers are not required on that day. To find out more about what to do and what is required, contact the Meals on Wheels manager, Sharon Grummer, on 4821 0997.
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