Red Cross volunteers Dave and Jan get ready to deliver meals to those in need. Photos by Marlene Smith.
It is no surprise that Marlene Smith is the coordinator of the Canadian Red Cross Etobicoke Meals on Wheels program since her grandfather was a volunteer driver for 30-years.
Smith grew up linked to the program, volunteered and moved up becoming a person in charge.
It’s her job to ensure their roughly 80 volunteer drivers from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. assemble their lunches to take to about 200 clients, who include the elderly, convalescent, those with disabilities or facing challenges.
The drivers cover 15 delivery routes in Etobicoke to take food to those in need. Sometimes the volunteers may be the only people the seniors see all day.
Food delivery person Adrian Smith has been volunteering with the Red Cross for 27 years.
“Since the pandemic the need for food has grown by 30 per cent for us,” Smith said. “All the food is paid for and we have suppliers, caterers and volunteers who package the food.”
The hot meals contain soup, an entrée, salad, bread and desert that can include a cup cake or custard. Special diets and needs can be met with meals that are low fat, low cholesterol, minced, pureed and suitable for diabetics or culturally appropriate.
“We lost many of our long-time volunteers due to the pandemic,” she said. “We have a whole group of mostly younger people now.”
Marlene Smith is the Red Cross Etobicoke Meals on Wheels coordinator.
Smith said the program is in need of volunteer drivers to take the lunches out to those in need.
A driver must have a vehicle and they are usually retirees, those who do shift work and some police officers or firefighters trying to earn volunteer hours.
They deliver from five to 13 hot or frozen meals, special diets or culturally appropriate lunches each daily and are paid for mileage.
The good-natured volunteers provide a safety check ensuring clients families that they are safe in their homes and giving a brief friendly visit at the same time.
The program charges a small fee to residents to help them live independently.
Long-time driver Adrian Smith has been a Meals on Wheels volunteer for 27 years.
“I love the people and the job,” Smith says. “Sometimes we are the only ones the clients would seek for the entire day. We check up on them to make sure they are fine.”
The Canadian Red Cross in Ontario offers an extensive network of programs and services that actively reach out and serve local communities throughout the province.
The Meals on Wheels program has been around since the 1970s and has grown over time.
If you would like to be a volunteer driver or donate please call 416-243-0003 ext 1 or fill out a form at www.redcross.ca.