Meals on Wheels Ottawa is in desperate need of volunteers
Meals on Wheels, a crucial service for seniors and individuals unable to leave their homes, is facing significant challenges in delivering hot meals to its clients.
The organization is dealing with a shortage of volunteers, making it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of those relying on its services.
One of the recipients, Carol MacIvor, has been relying on Meals on Wheels for the past six months due to her inability to cook for herself. For her, the organization has become a vital support system.
"I can't cook any longer, so this has been a lifeline for me," says MacIvor.
Her hot food delivery failed to arrive this week, only frozen food would be delivered on Friday.
"I received a call last Friday, telling me that there would be no Meals on Wheels delivery this week or next week," she explained.
Suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (C.O.P.D.), a condition that restricts her ability to breathe, MacIvor relies on an oxygen machine 24 hours a day. For her, Meals on Wheels is essential.
“It's an incredibly invaluable service for people who can't get out for one reason or another,” says MacIvor. “And it's just devastating for some folks.”
Baudouin St-Cyr, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Ottawa, says the organization estimates an 80 per cent decrease in volunteers since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with few returning.
"We're dealing with a major volunteer shortage," says St-Cyr. “They were all of an age, as the pandemic ended, to not return to Meals on Wheels. So most of them retired from Meals on Wheels."
As one of the largest Meals on Wheels providers in Ontario, the Ottawa branch delivered more than 120,000 meals to approximately 1,600 clients during the last fiscal year.
To address the current volunteer shortage, St-Cyr and his team are actively working to recruit and train new volunteers to ensure uninterrupted service.
"We're really working hard at retooling, at bringing new people in, orienting them, and getting them out there in the field,” says St-Cyr. “And we're really, really hoping that folks in Ottawa will hear this and give us a call."
Rosemary Dunne, a dedicated volunteer for the past seven months, understands the significance of volunteerism and the need it fulfills within the community.
"Volunteerism is important, and I think this is a very good cause and a big need in the city," she said.
Dunne says she finds the experience highly rewarding.
"You know, the clients are very appreciative, and yeah, it's a good feeling," she added.
"You know, there's a very fast, quick reward,” says St-Cyr. “Because the clients will reward you with their smiles and their thank yous because they know how important the volunteers are."
MacIvor says she needs volunteers now more than ever.
"I'm hoping some people will step forward to volunteer. I mean, it only takes a couple of hours per shift."
St-Cyr says anyone can volunteer, even those without vehicles. As they will be paired with another driver to work as a delivery team.
Those interested in volunteering can visit the Meals on Wheels website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.