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Meals on Wheels seeks more delivery volunteers

By Julia Wolf

Meals on Wheels brings more than just food to local seniors. The program also brings seniors a chance to socialize and a visitor, who checks in on their well-being. More volunteers are needed to keep the program running at fullforce, especially in the Cadott, Stanley and Boyd area.

In Cadott, the program currently operates Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, because there are not enough volunteers.

“Our goal is to get back to five days,” said Kelly Zimmerman, Meals on Wheels program coordinator through the Chippewa County Aging and Disability Resource Center.

The program relies on volunteers to deliver the meals, because there would not be enough funding available, if paid staff was used.

Zimmerman says meal deliveries take place between 11 a.m. and noon, with volunteers picking up the meals from a local drop-off point. Schedules are flexible for which days a volunteer is available to share their time.

She says some volunteers deliver once a week, some only do it once or twice a month, while others act as fill-ins, when needed. Zimmerman says some people also volunteer on a seasonal basis, as they are out of town a portion of the year.

“So really, the number of days, or how many days, that somebody wants to volunteer, we’re completely flexible with that,” said Zimmerman.

Those interested in volunteering for Meals on Wheels will fill out an application and receive training. Some of the training is around food safety, since volunteers will handle food.

“The volunteers are the eyes and ears for our program, because they see them,” said Zimmerman, adding the volunteers serve as a safety check for the seniors’ well-being.

Not only that, but for some program participants, the Meals on Wheels volunteer may be the only person they will see or talk to that day, so the program provides socialization.

There are also volunteer opportunities in other parts of the county, with the Cornell and Holcombe area running five days per week.

“The more the merrier,” said Zimmerman. “More hands gives less work on those that are doing it.”

Those interested in volunteering should contact Zimmerman, at 715-738-2590.

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