Volunteers and Meal Recipient Clients Sought As Meals on Wheels Expands into Lake Worth

Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches, a non-profit organization that has been serving homebound seniors in the West Palm Beach area for three years, is expanding to provide service to Lake Worth residents. 

“We’re pleased to be able to offer weekday delivery of hot nutritious meals to residents of the downtown Lake Worth area,” said Executive Director Charlie Ring. “Based on recent surveys, we know there are many people in these neighborhoods who are unable to provide meals for themselves and who may be homebound or living alone. At Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches, we provide daily visits by volunteers who may be the only people clients see that day.”

Currently serving about 15,000 meals annually, Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches plans to serve 20,000 meals a year by the end of 2014. 

“Our ability to expand is due in large part to the generosity of the community, which has supported us both financially and with volunteers,” Ring said. “We currently have close to 80 volunteers but as we continue to expand, we will need at least another 25 volunteers helping us to serve the Lake Worth area.”

Volunteers are needed to deliver meals as well as to help in meal preparation, which takes place at Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Drivers deliver meals beginning at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, and usually volunteer on a weekly basis. Meals on Wheels also has an Adopt-a-Route program for businesses and service clubs seeking ways to support their community.

“Our trained volunteers are the wheels behind our meals,” said Debbie Emerick, volunteer manager for Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches. “They provide our meal recipients with compassion and caring while offering their families peace of mind in knowing that someone is looking in on them every day.” 

To find out more about receiving Meals on Wheels or about becoming a Meals on Wheels volunteer, visit www.mealsonwheelspalmbeaches.org <http://www.mealsonwheelspalmbeaches.com> or call 561-802-6979.

About Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches
Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches is a non-profit organization dedicated to nourishing and enriching the lives of the homebound in the West Palm Beach and Palm Beach areas. An affiliate of the Meals on Wheels Association of America, the organization provides nutritious mid-day meals to those who are unable prepare their own.  A community-based organization, Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches relies on local residents for both financial support and for volunteers, and operates without government funding.