Meals on Wheels

Post-Pandemic Measures

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May 20,2023:An important message from Meals on Wheels

Hello Meals on Wheels volunteers and clients. We wish to inform you that our Pandemic Health and Safety measures are no longer in effect. We encourage our volunteers to practice basic Health and Safety measures however, this is at your discretion.

Below is an archive of past COVID-19 updates.

July 15, 2020: An important message from Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is continuously monitoring and adjusting our protocols for the protection of clients, volunteers, staff and everyone in the community.   

We have made changes to how meals are picked up by volunteers and how they are delivered to clients, most noteably: 

  • Volunteers are given hand sanitizer, masks and gloves as well as instructions on how to properly use them
  • Volunteers are given instructions on how to wipe down their vehicles
  • Physical distancing must be practiced at all times 
  • No volunteer is to enter a client’s home unless instructed to do so 
  • Masks must be worn if entering any home, building or enclosed area
  • Meals on Wheels Ottawa screens volunteers for COVID-19 symptoms every day before they deliver
  • Meals on Wheels Ottawa screens clients if ‘contactless’ delivery at the door is not possible  

As we move into Stage 3 of re-opening, Meals on Wheels is gradually increasing the provision of daily hot meals as we continue to deliver bulk frozen meals. 

We understand many of our clients enjoy and rely on the caring contact by volunteers and many are eager to resume the daily hot meals. Despite more infrequent in–person interactions between clients and volunteers over the last months, and having to follow physical distancing at all times, volunteers are still able to provide that caring contact and do a quick check in to see how clients are coping. We are grateful to all the volunteers who have been delivering meals as well as those who have been calling clients to ensure that they have a regular contact and a friendly check in. 

If at any time clients are in need of other services, they are encouraged to get in touch with Meals on Wheels who can recommend them to the appropriate community support agency. They can also sign up for other services such as pharmacy and grocery delivery, telephone safety checks, transportation and dementia support here: https://communitysupport.covidresponse.ca/.  

We thank all current and new volunteers for their support and flexibility in adjusting to new and changing protocols. We also applaud those who helped by stepping back from face to face volunteering to protect themselves and the community. We are happy to be welcoming many of these volunteers back at this time. We continue to actively recruit new volunteers. Read more about volunteering and sign up here.  

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:  

Meals on Wheels provides a vital service to a vulnerable population, and in this time of uncertainty we have seen the community come together to support one another. Thank you to those who have provided support and donations to ensure the best continuity of our service while keeping the community healthy.  

 

 

April 23, 2020: An important message from Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is continuously monitoring and adjusting our protocols for the protection of clients, volunteers, staff and everyone in the community.  

We have made changes to how meals are picked up by volunteers and how they are delivered to clients:

  • Volunteers are given hand sanitizer to use before and after meal delivery, and best practices for hand hygiene and instructions on how to wipe down their vehicles are being shared 
  • All processes must follow physical distancing as recommended by public health authorities 
  • No volunteer is to enter a client’s home unless instructed to do so 
  • Meals are also never left unattended and volunteers must see that the client has received it before leaving 
  • Meals on Wheels Ottawa screens both volunteers and clients for COVID-19 symptoms every day before they deliver or receive meals 

We understand many of our clients enjoy and rely on the caring contact by volunteers. Despite shortened interactions between clients and volunteers, and having to follow physical distancing at all times, volunteers are still able to provide that caring contact and do a quick check in to see how clients are coping.  

If at any time clients are in need of other services, they are encouraged to get in touch with Meals on Wheels who can recommend them to the appropriate community support agency. They can also sign up for other services such as pharmacy and grocery delivery, telephone safety checks, transportation and dementia support here: https://communitysupport.covidresponse.ca/. 

Thank you everyone who has reached out to express interest in volunteering with Meals on Wheels Ottawa at this time. Due to the high number of applicants, we ask for your patience while you wait to hear back from us.   

We thank all current and new volunteers for their support and flexibility in adjusting to new and changing protocols. We also applaud those who help by stepping back from face to face volunteering at this time to protect themselves and the community.  

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: 

 Meals on Wheels provides a vital service to a vulnerable population, and in this time of uncertainty we have seen the community come together to support one another. Thank you to those who have provided support and donations to ensure the best continuity of our service while keeping the community healthy. 

 

 

March 17, 2020: An important message from Meals on Wheels

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!

 

Did you know?

The first delivery of frozen meals was made on April 25th, 1991.