MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
18th August, 2021
Meals on Wheels services in NSW Doors Open Wider for those Older Australians experiencing Food insecurity after major Meal Delivery Company, Lite n Easy closes temporarily due to COVID exposure in their Sydney Facility.
The Covid19 Pandemic has seen a rapid increase in demand for Meals on Wheels services across NSW, with more clients than ever before being served each day. With strict isolation and quarantine measures in place, our team of 14,000 volunteers and 147 local Meals on Wheels organisations covering all Local Government Areas around the State are meeting demands and widening their doors to those requiring meals.
We are making an urgent call to support those who may be experiencing food insecurity and meet the eligibility requirements for Meals on Wheels, following temporary closure of the Sydney Lite n Easy facility, where meals have ceased being delivered for the next 36 hours. We are calling for eligible clients who require access to meals in the coming days, to please reach out to their local Meals on Wheels service provider to arrange meals.
“Meals on Wheels are an integral part of all local communities in NSW. We are here to support the nutritional needs and wellbeing of Older Australians. We are opening our doors wider, to those who have been affected by the closure of the Lite n Easy facility in Sydney. If you are aged 65 years or older (50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) and have been affected by Lite n Easy’s temporary closure, we would like to offer our support to you. Please reach out to your local Meals on Wheels provider” says Les MacDonald, CEO of Meals on Wheels NSW.
“Fortunately the Meals on Wheels model in NSW comprises of 147 locally run Meals on Wheels organisations, who, in many communities have their own production kitchens, or access to a variety of meals via external suppliers. This model enables us to continue to deliver, even during times of uncertainty, as we have stringent continuity plans in place should a specific Meals on Wheels provider be impacted by events such as pandemics, bushfires and floods. We have the capacity to meet an increase in demand”.
Meals on Wheels meals meet the National Meal Guidelines for Ageing Australians, and are available at a subsidised cost as part of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, and Home Care Packages.
During these times of hardship, all businesses should unite together, to support the best possible outcome for Older Australians. Please know, Meals on Wheels has been here to help for almost 70 years, we are Australia’s pioneers of meal delivery. Our dedicated Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers are delivering more than just a meal. The support provided by our staff and volunteers each day makes a significant difference in the overall mental and physical health of our most at-risk Australians.
Please contact us today on 1300 679 669 or visit our website at nswmealsonwheels.org.au to locate the Meals on Wheels provider in your local community.
Media Contact
To arrange a phone interview with Les MacDonald, CEO of Meals on Wheels NSW, please contact the below:
Claudia Odello
General Manager, Marketing and Fundraising
Meals on Wheels NSW
claudiao@nswmealsonwheels.org.au
0449 894 015