Legion volunteer numbers down so it does the next best thing

Craig Bakay | Feb 06, 2019

The Sharbot Lake Legion Branch 425 had a clientele of eight people in its Meals on Wheels program but like most organizations these days, it found it just didn’t have enough volunteers to make the program work.

So, they decided to do the next best thing, supporting Rural Frontenac Community Services (RFCS) Meals on Wheels program with a financial donation of $500.

“One of the Legion’s lottery mandates is Meals on Wheels,” President June Crawford said during a cheque presentation following the regular Friday Night Dinner. “The proceeds are from our meat draws and 50/50.

“There will probably be more.”

The venue was appropriate because many of the meals the Legion provided came from the Friday Night Dinners.

Catherine Tysick, adult centre manager for RFCS, acknowledged that finding drivers to deliver Meals on Wheels can be a challenge, both in volunteer recruitment and financially.

“It’s a costly venture,” she said. “The price of food goes up and there’s mileage at 42 cents/kilometre.

“And then there’s the cost of containers.”

From April to December last year, there were 2,786 meals delivered, consisting of soup, the main meal and desert.

“Some clients will order two meals so they have leftovers for the next day,” Tysick said. “Those clients tend to be gentlemen.

“But most get meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

The meals now are all prepared at the daycare kitchen by Anne Howes and Laura Wood, she said.

“Some people are reluctant to get Meals on Wheels because they feel it threatens their independence,” she said. “But there are plenty of other days to cook if you want to.

“Without Meals on Wheels, a lot of seniors would just eat toast for dinner.”

Sharbot Lake Legion President June Crawford presents a $500 cheque to Catherine Tysick, Rural Frontenac Community Services adult centre manager for Meals on Wheels. Photo/Craig Bakay