Celebrating National MOW Day

Young Meals on Wheels (MOW) has been on the ground here in Young for 59 years, delivering meals 365 days per year.

Their services have increased by 300 per cent during the COVID pandemic. Over the last two years, they have delivered 44,111 meals.

Wednesday, August 31 is National Meals on Wheels Day and Service Coordinator, Jenny Rea said they had an increase in demand for meal deliveries over the COVID period, but continued to deliver meals during lockdowns.

“Over the past two years, Young MOW has faced a number of challenges, including the COVID pandemic,” Ms Rea said.

“Our volunteers and the wider community continued to turn up to deliver meals and provide the much-needed social interaction and welfare checks for our clients. During the last two years we have seen a substantial increase in clients seeking support with meals at Young MOW.”

“There is no denying the importance of good nutrition for our clients’ health and wellbeing.”

These meals are specifically designed to meet the daily nutritional needs of clients and reducing health risks associated with poor nutrition in older Australians.

Having nutritional meals at home also helps prevent early entry in aged care facilities.

MOW offers a wide range of meals rich in flavour, including appetising modern and multicultural cuisines, and caters to special dietary needs. Meals include Aussie favourites like roast dinners, corned silverside, cottage pies, sweet and sour pork or chicken, chicken kiev, lamb shanks, lambs fry and bacon and curried prawns or sausages.

Of course, no meal is truly complete without a little something sweet for afters. Desserts include bread and butter pudding, cheesecake, sticky date pudding, plum pudding and more.

Hot meals are delivered seven days per week, but an extensive range of frozen meals is also available for pick-up or delivery. Frozen meals may also be delivered to out-of-town clients by arrangement. Some clients on a Home Care Package may even be eligible for reduced meal costs.

Young Meals on Wheels does more than delivering delicious meals, though, they also arrange regular social outings in conjunction with Young Community Transport, including the monthly Meet and Eat, and social bus outings and information days.

“Our service includes welfare checks to check on client wellbeing,” Ms Rea said.

“We distributed almost 100 crocheted and knitted knee rugs to the community that were kindly donated from the Young Wednesday Knitting Group and ‘Wrapped With Love’.”

“We couldn’t provide our service without our wonderful volunteers. New volunteers are always most welcome.”

Ms Rea said the National Meals on Wheels Day held on the last Wednesday of August each year, was a day that allowed them to recognise the dedication and commitment of staff, committees and many wonderful volunteers as well as the broader community who tirelessly support the vulnerable and the aged within our community.

“National Meals on Wheels Day allows us to build awareness about this essential role of our organisation at Young Meals on Wheels where we have been supporting clients for the past 59 years,” Ms Rea said.

“If you know anyone who would like to try our meals or need more information regarding our meals or service, or if anyone would like to join our team of volunteers please contact us.

Young Meals on Wheels is located at 133 Main Street (Marie McCormick Building) in Young and is open between 10 am and 2 pm from Monday to Friday or you can contact them via phone on 6382 5008.

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