Meals On Wheels In Need of County Volunteers

Meals on Wheels, the organization that delivers food to homebound seniors, is in critical need of volunteers—especially during the upcoming winter months. 

"[Volunteers] keep the wheels on our program spinning. We're totally reliant on our volunteers," said events communications manager Debbie Brown. 

While Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland serves most counties and Baltimore City, the organization is specifically seeking volunteers in the Parkville, Towson, Lutherville-Timonium and Cockeysville areas. 

Brown said that many volunteers leave the area in the winter for warmer climates.  

By the numbers, Meals on Wheels:

• Prepares 4,000 to 5,000 meals daily. 
• Employs 2,000 active volunteers.
• Utilizes 250 to 300 volunteers daily.
• Was founded in 1960.
• Saved $1.7 million in 2010 because of volunteer efforts. 
• Delivered over 197,371 nutritious meals to 829 homebound Baltimore County residents (between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011). 

"The one thing that people might not know about us is that Meals on Wheels allows seniors to age gracefully in their homes until they're really ready to take that next step," Brown said. 

The mentality is that volunteers bring "meals and smiles" to clients who may not be able to prepare food for themselves or who may not have readily available family members to care for them.  

Volunteers pick up meals from the county distribution center at . Meals are delivered between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, although "individuals and/or businesses may volunteer as little or as much time as their schedule permits," according to a news release.

For more information, contact Liz Galea at 443-573-0929.