Pam Armstrong says volunteering for Meals on Wheels is an extremely gratifying experience.
“Everybody should go and do deliveries one day in their life,” she said.
“There are some wonderful people out there, some of them in different conditions, and they’re always happy to have a chat and say hello.
Meals on Wheels have received Volunteer Grants from the Australian Government for the last three years, with the grants going towards the cost of fuel.
“(The grants) provide us probably with about a quarter of what the costs are of reimbursing our volunteer delivery drivers every day, so we would really struggle at times without it,” said Pam.
“It is a way of keeping our volunteers and giving something back to them for all the work they’re doing for us.”
Expressions of interest (EOIs) are now open for the Government’s 2022-23 Volunteers Grant and Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox is urging organisations to apply.
“Please help us help the volunteers,” Mr Willcox said.
“The volunteers are so important, all community-based organisations, and these grants can be used for everything from buying a laptop or a tent.”
Grants from $1000 to $5000 are available with applications closing on Friday, September 23.
Interested parties are asked to contact Andrew Willcox’s office at the corner of Victoria and Brisbane Streets or call 4944 0662 for an application form.
“Volunteers, not just in Mackay but the whole electorate of Dawson, the volunteers keep us moving,” said Mr Willcox.
“The message is, allow us to help you.
“Please contact my office, fill out these forms and keep volunteering.”
There are over 80 people currently volunteering with Meals on Wheels, helping them make and deliver over 70,000 meals in the last financial year, but that number has dropped from over 200 volunteers before the pandemic.
Pam says they are always looking for extra hands to deliver meals and say hello to clients.
“There are some people out there who we are the only people they see each day so it’s very rewarding,” said Pam.
“We would love to see them; we’re always looking for drivers.”
Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and Meals On Wheels Volunteer Pam Armstrong. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
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