Meals on Wheels rolls into Cold Lake

The grocery and meal delivery service Meals on Wheels is coming soon to Cold Lake and areas of the M.D. of Bonnyville, and the program is looking for volunteers.

Meals on Wheels first began as a response to the threat of hunger faced by individuals, typically senior citizens, that were unable to or otherwise had great difficulty in leaving their homes to get something to eat.

The Cold Lake and District FCSS will be managing the program, which will run until the end of the year thanks to grant funding from the Alberta government to address COVID-19 in rural areas.

In addition to offering the typical delivery service, an outreach worker will also be available to assist recipients with other outstanding tasks.

“We want to make sure that the people that are part of this program are being taken care of and having all of their needs met, not just when it comes to food,” said chair for the Age Friendly Cold Lake Diana Stonehocker.

M.D. areas that will be serviced include Ward 6, which includes communities such as Cherry Grove, and sections of Ward 5 that are north of highway 28 and east of Ardmore.

Communities such as Fort Kent won’t be serviced as they reach beyond the program’s serviceable areas.

When asked if the program could be expected to continue beyond 2020, Stonehocker said that it all depends on whether or not the provincial government decides to fund the program.

Individuals interested in volunteering for the program, or those that want to be a recipient, are asked to call the Cold Lake and District FCSS.

“We want to hear from the community. If you have family, friends, or neighbours you think this program would benefit, we want to hear from them,” said Stonehocker.

Meals will be picked up from restaurants starting at 11am and will be delivered by noon.

Drivers will be compensated 50 cents for every kilometre traveled out of town.