More than just a meal

Redcliffe Meals on Wheels has been delivering meals – and peace of mind – for more than 53 years.

The service, which delivered its first 14 meals in 1967, now delivers more than 200 meals a day.

The meals are delivered direct to the client and cannot be left on the doorstep, but clients can arrange for someone else close by to accept the meal on their behalf – a personal touch appreciated by both clients and their families.

The service is about ensuring people who can’t get out and about can enjoy regular interaction and have the comfort of knowing someone will drop by regularly and say hello. Meals on Wheels delivery volunteers are a sentinel for the health and wellbeing of clients.

If they are delivering a meal and cannot raise the client, they put in motion any help that may be required.

The meals are prepared in the service’s onsite commercial kitchen by international chef David Clem, who joined the service earlier this year, and a team of wonderful volunteers.

Fresh ingredients

The meals are prepared using fresh ingredients and cater for all dietary needs, including gluten-free and vitamised meals, and personal likes and dislikes.

Each meal on the set menu includes a home-made soup and dessert along with a hot main meal or salad.

The meals are seasonal and include beef, chicken, lamb, pork, seafood and vegetarian offerings.

The seasonal menus are available for perusal on the Redcliffe Meals on Wheels website.

There are also weekly breakfast and frozen meal packs available, allowing flexibility for clients – who can also cancel delivery a day ahead if they are going to be out.

Meals can be reheated in the container or placed on a plate and reheated in a microwave.

About 150 dedicated volunteers work with Redcliffe Meals on Wheels, delivering food in a two-hour window Monday to Friday.

They cannot specify the time of delivery because it depends on how many meals have to be delivered.

Volunteers work on different days so they cannot guarantee you will have the same person each day – but they can guarantee you’ll see a friendly face.

Find out more here.

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