Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels

COVID-19 Volunteers

We are looking for new and past volunteer drivers to help deliver meals to our clients during this critical time. If you are healthy, have a car, under 65 years of age, and can follow our strict health and safety protocols, please consider volunteering. All volunteers will need a current level 3 police record check for volunteer service with the vulnerable sector (less than 12 months).

COVID-19 Update: An important message from Meals on Wheels (March 17, 2020)

Here at Meals on Wheels (Ottawa), we are working diligently and refocusing our energies on adjusting meal delivery protocols to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19, and to ensure the best continuity of our service while keeping the community healthy.

We receive daily Situation Reports from the Ministry of Health and are in regular contact with Ottawa Public Health. We follow their recommendations very closely to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our clients, volunteers, and staff. Local Community Support Service agencies are also working together to ensure the least disruption of our essential services.

Meals on Wheels (Ottawa) is continuing to deliver meals to clients with some changes in our delivery procedures. We are asking clients to consider switching from our daily hot meal service to a frozen meal bulk delivery to limit face to face contact and to relieve workload at our hot meal kitchens.

We are also recommending clients have non-perishable food on hand and order additional frozen meals in bulk. Our frozen meals can be heated in microwaves or ovens. Clients can have 1 or 2 week supply of pre-selected frozen entrees delivered.

  • To arrange a pre-selected frozen entrée bulk delivery, please call our office at 613-233-2424 or email us at service@mealsonwheels-ottawa.org. Let us know of any dietary restrictions.

If clients want to select their own frozen meal entrees, they can call or order online. Note, deliveries for self-selected frozen meals take longer for delivery.

We understand our usual daily volunteer contact is important to clients and we are making arrangements to continue our check-ins by phone. Already, Meals on Wheels (Ottawa) is calling clients to complete a respiratory infection screener, as well as identifying those who are our most vulnerable clients.

Meals on Wheels (Ottawa) volunteers are being screened daily before going on delivery routes to identify those who have traveled, are in contact with those who have traveled, or showing signs of illness. Those who do not pass our screening process will not be able to volunteer. Volunteers have also been told to follow strict health and hygiene practices, including:

  • Using hand sanitizer between each delivery
  • Minimizing contact with surfaces during delivery
  • Practising social distancing and refrain from entering a client’s home if clients are able to accept the meal at the door
  • Delivering meals in separate plastic bags provided by Meals on Wheels and placing them on clean surfaces
  • Avoid touching their face
  • Cough or sneeze into their arm

Many of our meal providers are long-term care facilities or retirement homes also serving a vulnerable population and have implemented additional safety measures. Extra vigilance is being taken to sanitize equipment such as our delivery bags, and face to face contact between volunteers and kitchen staff is being limited.

The Meals on Wheels (Ottawa) office also introduced internal measures. We are restricting access into the building as much as possible and screening those who need to enter. Workspaces are also being sanitized daily.

Meals on Wheels provides a vital service to a vulnerable population, and in this time of uncertainty we know the community will come together to support one another. In an outbreak situation our service becomes even more important, and we may see an increase in need.

We are asking the general public for their support. In particular, we are looking for:

  • Donations. Meals on Wheels (Ottawa) is a non-profit organization that relies heavily on donations in order to provide affordable meals to those at risk. Donations are especially important during uncertain times. Consider donating here.
  • Volunteers to deliver meals. If you are healthy, have the time, and can follow our health and safety protocols, please let us know. Email us at volunteer@mealsonwheels-ottawa.org or fill out an online application.
  • Hand sanitizer for volunteers who are out in the community delivering food to vulnerable people. If you stocked up and are now working from home or just staying put with access to soap and water for hand washing, please consider donating any extra bottles to Meals on Wheels. Our ability to serve those most in need is dependent on it.

As circumstances change, we will continue to adapt our plans and protocols to address the safety of our clients, volunteers, and staff in response to the evolving situation.

Our website will be updated with any new changes. Please check here for details.

For frequent updates and important information, please also visit:

As always, please get in touch if you have any questions. You may reach us by phone at 613-233-2424 or by email at jill@mealsonwheels-ottawa.org.

Thank you!

 

For over 50 years, Meals on Wheels, a not-for-profit agency, has been dedicated to providing nutritious meals, daily check-ins, and comfort with a smile.

Our daily hot meal program and weekly frozen meals paid services are available on both a short-term and long-term basis to eligible clients:

  • Seniors
  • Adults who are chronically ill
  • Adults living with a disability
  • Adults convalescing from surgery or illness
  • Adults undergoing medical treatment

Why choose Meals on Wheels?

In addition to providing nutritious meals, this volunteer-based program allows members of the community to remain in their homes as an alternative to costly retirement or nursing residences. Daily visits from Meals on Wheels volunteers provide peace of mind and support to their loved ones and themselves.

Which neighbourhoods does Meals on Wheels serve?

This program is offered to residents of central Ottawa. Please see our service area map for more information and for a list of other meal program providers outside of central Ottawa.

View the Meals on Wheels Brochure.

Community support services e-referral – Caredove

 

Did you know?

The first Meals on Wheels newsletter was published in 1984.