Swan River Meals on Wheels short of volunteers

Swan River’s Meals on Wheels is putting out another urgent call for volunteers. A shortage of program volunteers to deliver meals to eligible clients has led to several gaps in scheduling over the next few months.

“Starting this month (February), we currently have twelve weeks  with no volunteer drivers scheduled in the 2025 year,” stated Shantelle Rosteski, Nutrition Services Manager for Swan River. “We currently have 17 clients that are really dependent on receiving meals”

Program volunteers deliver meals to eligible clients who are generally unable to prepare food for themselves due to age, illness or disability, either on a temporary or permanent basis. Unfortunately, the program is struggling to maintain an adequate volunteer base. In Swan River, the meals are delivered three times a week- Monday, Wednesday and Friday (meals are picked up at 11:15 for lunch).

“We could sure use more volunteers especially for a week or two at a time, as some of these blocks of time throughout the year are still open and very much needed for scheduling purposes right now,” Rosteski said.

“Besides individuals, we urge organizations and groups to also consider participating for blocks of time.  But, we also could use casual back up drivers if we have any cancellations, so every bit of volunteer time will really help!”

Rosteski passed along a sincere thank you to all the past and present volunteers, as well as Services to Seniors, who have been involved with the program.

Meals on Wheels is a program that offers a full, warm nutritious meal delivered to a client, for a small fee, at their home. Prairie Mountain Health, Nutrition Services at Swan Valley Health Centre, partners with Services to Seniors in Swan River to coordinate the program. Nutrition services prepares the meals, and works together with Services to Seniors with the volunteer delivery schedule.

Further questions and answers:

Who can you contact to sign up volunteer to deliver meals? In Swan River, you can contact the Services to Seniors Program at (204) 734-5707.

What is required of volunteers to do the job? There are some application sheets to fill out for those volunteering for the program. If volunteers have any specific questions they can contact Services to Seniors at the number above.