Photo: Feed MoreThe holidays are a busy time for all of us. So, while volunteering is important throughout the year, it’s not surprising that, for many local charity organizations, the holiday season creates a higher need for volunteers. One of the agencies that we at Richmond Mom have long supported through our resource guides on volunteering, including Food Pantries in Greater Richmond and Family Volunteer Opportunities in Richmond, is Feed More – Central Virginia’s leading hunger-relief organization.
Every year, Feed More collects food and distributes more than 24 million meals to those experiencing food insecurity across 34 counties and cities in Central Virginia. They reach communities that include children, families, and the elderly with core programs such as the Weekend Backpack program, the Summer Food Service program, the Mobile Pantry, and Meals on Wheels.
And right now, Feed More needs your help.
Feed More has immediate volunteer openings at several dispatch locations for their Meals on Wheels program, including Charles City, Chesterfield, Highland Springs, metro and south Richmond and the Tri-Cities.
“Our volunteers are critical to our ability to serve the community and take care of our homebound neighbors,” said Sudeshna Das-Menezes, Director of Volunteer Services.
A staple in the Richmond community for more than 50 years, Feed More’s Meals on Wheels program provides homebound neighbors that are unable to shop or cook for themselves with nutritious meals delivered to their doorstep each weekday.
Photo: Feed MoreMore than 800 senior and homebound neighbors receive meals through the program and Feed More needs volunteers to continue to provide meals and more to these vulnerable individuals.
“Our volunteer drivers deliver a nutritious meal and provide an important safety check that helps ensure our recipients are safe and independent in their home, where they want to be,” shared Das-Menezes. “Our volunteers help lift our recipient’s spirits through a friendly hello and conversation; often times, our volunteers are the only person our homebound neighbors will see and talk to all day.”
In order to be a volunteer with Feed More’s Meals on Wheels program individuals must have their own vehicle, be at least 21 years old and ideally, commit to two volunteers shifts per month. Additionally:
- Meals are delivered Monday – Friday
- Dispatch starts between 10:40 – 11:15 a.m.
- A full route consists of 12-15 stops and takes about 90 minutes; meals are delivered no later than 1:30 p.m.
- Background check is required
Every volunteer driver is provided with detailed turn-by-turn directions, as well as notes with important information to deliver each recipient’s meal successfully. While driving a route, volunteers have access to Feed More’s Meals on Wheels Client Services team to report any issues that they may observe during a delivery.
For those interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out a volunteer application or visit FeedMore.org/volunteer for more information.
In a world where the problems seem more plentiful than the solutions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But thanks to amazing organizations like Feed More right here in the Richmond community, making a difference in the lives of our fellow neighbors and community members isn’t that difficult.
Consider becoming a Meals on Wheels delivery volunteer in the coming weeks and know that while we can’t change the world overnight, we can make a difference in someone’s life today.
Photo: Feed MoreLearn More About Feed More
Feed More collects, prepares and distributes food to neighbors in need throughout Central Virginia. With a service area that stretches across 34 counties and cities, Feed More’s comprehensive programs and network of nearly 300 agencies helps ensure our communities have access to healthy meals year round. Feed More is a proud member of Feeding America and Meals on Wheels America. For additional information, please visit FeedMore.org, find them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram and Twitter.
