a la carte Opportunities

a la carte Opportunities

Special volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year.  Online signups circulate via the a la carte Opportunities email.

 

New! Friendly Visitor Program

Description:

We all crave human connection.
Imagine being homebound, not able to get out whenever you please, or do all the things you used to do.  Imagine that your friends and family live in another city, and many have passed on. Imagine wishing for just one nice friend. The Friendly Visitor Program pairs kindhearted volunteers with homebound recipients experiencing isolation and loneliness, who are in need of companionship. Volunteers are carefully screened and trained before being matched to a recipient with whom they share a common interest or bond. Volunteers will make weekly scheduled visits with or calls to their matched recipient to engage them in conversation and activities.
Click here  to sign up for an information and training session in February, 2024.

Time required:
Weekly visits, either by phone or in person. We project approximately 1.5 hours per week, including reporting time.

Animeals Delivery Drivers

Description:

Companionship comes in all shapes and sizes! We know that some of our recipients have companion pets who ‘mean the world’ to them. When food and budgets get tight, these pets vie for nourishment, sometimes eating from the meals we deliver (which is not good for either the person OR the pet!)
Our Animeals program provides a monthly subsidy of donated pet food that will help alleviate that strain. Your delivery will provide appropriate food — pet food — for those furry friends! We bet you will receive a special thank you in the form of wags, wiggles, and purrs!  Online signup circulates via the a la carte Opportunities email.

Also, read here to find a pet food donation location.

Location:

  • Pick up order from Meals on Wheels office
  • Deliver to a specified route
  • Route sheet with names and addresses provided

Date of Current Needs:

  • These routes are delivered about once a month. Sign up for our email list to make sure you are notified.

Time required:

  • Delivery will take approximately 1 hour

Periodic Supplemental Food Boxes – Delivery Drivers

Description:

Meals on Wheels collaborates with the Parkview Community Mission to ensure that several of our mutual, most food insecure recipients periodically receive an extra delivery of fresh and frozen foods. These boxes must be distributed promptly from pickup.

Online signup circulates via the a la carte Opportunities email.

Location:

  • Pick up fresh & frozen food boxes from Parkview Community Mission, 2420 Memorial Avenue
  • The Meals on Wheels Bus will be in the parking lot across from Parkview; we will load boxes into your vehicle
  • These boxes/bags are large, full and heavy – approximately 15-20 lbs each
  • Delivery Sheet will be provided for each route, between 1 and 4 stops per route (see signup)

 Date of Current Needs:
Pick up typically the 2nd Friday of each month

 Time required:
Time varies depending on number of stops on the route (1, 2 or 3), and how long you are able to chat.

 Your time  is a tremendous blessing to these recipients who need extra support but cannot get out to pick up!

Packer / Box Expeditor

Description:

Working with both the MOW staff and Parkview staff, you will be a part of a 2-3 person team who chooses and bags the fresh and frozen foods for our recipients.  Responsibilities include reading an informational paper on each client and then choosing appropriate foods based on cooking abilities/facilities, dietary needs/restrictions, allergies, and/or preferences. You will need to be able to lift anywhere from 15-25 lbs repeatedly and sometimes from the floor.  You will also need to use discernment for choosing best foods available as well as discretion since you will be learning about specific health concerns for some clients.  More information will be given once you decide to join a team.

Call Lauren or Sarah at the MOW Office to discuss further. 434-847-0796

Location:

  • Basement of the Parkview Community Mission, 2420 Memorial Avenue

Date of Current Needs:
Packing takes place on the 2nd Thursday of each month typically (could change due to holidays)

Time required:
You will need to be at the Parkview Mission by 9:30 on the date of the deliveries.  It will take approximately 1.5-2 hours depending on the number of recipients for that date.   You do NOT have to stay for pick-up, merely to help prepare the bags/boxes for our drivers to pick up.

Wrap/Fill/Provide Birthday Boxes

Description:

We provide a birthday box to each meal recipient on their special day. This is a wonderful opportunity for organizations or individuals to fill and wrap boxes that will be especially meaningful. Read more.

Office – Clerical & Project Support

Description:

Mailings: Meals on Wheels appeal letters contain time-sensitive information to keep our community informed and up to date.
Your donated labor helps us meet exacting USPO standards for bulk mail to keep our cost at the very minimum.
Research: Projects vary, but generally consists of online research, phone calls, making appropriate connections.
Other Clerical Support: Needs vary; Online signup circulates via the a la carte Opportunities email.

Location:

  • On-site, Meals on Wheels office
  • 605 Clay St., 2nd floor

Date:

  • These opportunities occur throughout the year.  Sign up for our email list to make sure you are notified.

Time required:

  • 1 ½ – 2-hour shifts preferred
  • Often flexible between 10a & 4p
  • Some must be completed by mail date

Fold and Package Meals on Wheels Notecards

Description:

A favorite local fundraiser for almost 20 years, Meals on Wheels notecards feature the talent of local artists who donate for our use. Since we produce these cards in-house on the donated product, this is a great, simple ‘revenue stream’ for our organization! Your donated labor in folding and packaging these notecards for sale will ‘seal the deal!’ Online signup circulates via the a la carte Opportunities email.

Location:

  • On-site, Meals on Wheels office
  • 605 Clay St., 2nd floor

Date of Current Needs:

  • Typically July / August

Time required:

  • 1 ½ – 2-hour shifts preferred, longer if available
  • Flexible between 10a & 4p

Internships

Several internships are available throughout the year for college students, for academic credit, or simply for the experience. Please inquire/apply through your educational institution.

Tray Favors

During the holidays, we often distribute small tray favors with meals. This could include cards, notes, magnets, or decorations. Great project for civic or school groups.  Call for more details.

Artists

Submit copies of your artwork for possible use on our note cards. We typically plan our collections in May / June.  New packages are created yearly.

Special Events

Opportunities to help during special events such as our golf tournament, WheelsUp!, and other activities are also available.

Seasonal Opportunities

Snow Brigade

Description:

Extreme winter weather may delay or cancel normal delivery operations. In addition, even when roads are passable, MOW recipients can rarely shovel sidewalks, steps or driveways. Power outages can definitely complicate things further.

  • We have identified a dedicated brigade of snow drivers who are willing and able to brave the elements.
  • We have identified the most vulnerable of those we serve, those without many other resources, and made plans for their care.
  • We are constantly evaluating service options if normal delivery is in question, such as double meal delivery when bad weather is in the forecast.

Snow drivers may be used for delivering anything from food to flashlights and water (depending on needs).  This may include full delivery routes or abbreviated routes due to severity and needs of clients.   Other helpful items to have include but not limited to:  shovels, snow/ice melt, snow boots, etc).  These drivers will receive more information and training during the fall/early winter.

Location:

  • Pick up will be from specific kitchens depending on weather conditions/closures

Date of Current Needs:
Ongoing through extreme winter months (November-March) of each year

 Time required:
Anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on routes, driving conditions, purpose of visit (food delivery versus wellness checks)

Blizzard Box Deliveries

Description:

Meals on Wheels provides a box of 5 shelf-stable meals for all of our meal recipients in the event that we are unable to deliver due to bad weather. These boxes can be delivered during the day, early evening, or on weekends but need to be distributed promptly before any inclement weather hits our area.
Your time to deliver these Blizzard Boxes, and perhaps chat for a few minutes will likely be a warm holiday treat! Online signup circulates via the a la carte Opportunities email.

Location:

  • Pick up Blizzard Boxes from distribution site
  • Route sheet with names and addresses will be provided

Deliver Christmas Gifts

Description:

We participate in Be a Santa for a Senior and the Angel Tree program for our meal recipients that might not receive a Christmas present otherwise. Opportunities to help deliver gifts are available. Home Instead sponsors Santa for a Senior, and Heritage United Methodist Church sponsors the Angel Tree. Gifts are ready for pick up on designated dates in December. Your time to deliver this present, and perhaps chat for a few minutes will likely be the best gift of all. Online signup circulates via the a la carte Opportunities email.

Location:

  • Pick up gifts from Meals on Wheels Office
  • Route sheet with names and addresses will be provided

Date of Current Needs:

  • Typically the first two weeks in December

Time required:

  • Time varies depending on the number of gifts (approx 5 – 7 stops), and how long you are able to visit

Poinsettia Deliveries

Description:

We deliver poinsettias to each home that we serve, to recognize the joy of the holiday season. Your time to deliver this present, and perhaps chat for a few minutes will likely be the best gift of all. Online signup circulates via the a la carte Opportunities email.

Location:

  • Pick up Poinsettias from Virginia Garden Supply on Boonsboro Road
  • Route sheet with names and addresses will be provided

Date of Current Needs:

  • Typically the first week in December

Time required:

  •  Time varies depending on the number of poinsettias (approx 9-12), and how long you are able to visit