An essential service for seniors, Meals on Wheels provides healthy, affordable food to people in need.
“This obviously helps us a lot,” says Mr. Bouchard. I can't work anyway, so I have no other choice.
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The organization offers pre-cooked meal services that staff freeze before delivering to seniors or people losing their independence.
“They did a good job, and I like it,” Mr. Bouchard adds. I'm paralyzed, stuck in the chair [roulante]In my case, I am not standing, so I have no choice.”
Meals on Wheels, in turn, calls for volunteers to provide its services. The help of these charities encourages people to stay at home.
“People can stay in their homes, without needing expensive external resources or finding themselves in retirement homes,” explains Eloise Gagné, a volunteer and board member of the organization.
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She confirms that many are still able to stay at home, but they just need “a little help.”
Meals are prepared in the kitchen in Montreal's Little Burgundy district. The team of chefs prepares an average of 100,000 dishes per year.
Other volunteers then deliver, a move coordinated by Cedric.
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“There are still about 50 to 52 meals delivered at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. maximum,” he says. That's a lot of what we ask of our volunteers, so the more drivers we have, and the more pedestrians we have, the more we can ease congestion on the roads and make volunteering fun for everyone.
With Quebec's aging population, the Meals on Wheels team is currently short on staff who can get their hands dirty.
“At the same time, this activity allows you to build a good team by spending time together,” suggests Ms. Gagné. The peculiarity is that we need volunteers during the weekdays, and this means that our pool is reduced a little.
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“These are not things you can do in the evening or on the weekend,” she explains.
As for volunteers, their good deeds allow them to promote themselves.
“Maybe I'll do the same thing with my son next year,” says one of them. I really want him to learn the spirit of Christmas.
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For vulnerable people, the service is greatly appreciated.
“It gives me free time and it's easier for me when I'm alone,” says a woman who uses the services provided by Meals on Wheels.
Therefore, this assistance is valuable. It allows nearly a thousand Montrealers to benefit from it.
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