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Delivery drivers needed for Meals on Wheels

By Staff | Jul 15, 2020

With growing requests for meals to be delivered to homebound neighbors who cannot shop or cook for themselves, Community Cooperative has an immediate need for volunteer drivers throughout Lee County to deliver Meals on Wheels.

“Since the pandemic, the Meals on Wheels program has grown about 20%,” said Tracey Galloway, chief executive officer for Community Cooperative. “These home-delivered meals and related services ensure that our neighbors in need are kept safe, comfortable, and living in their own homes. We need volunteers to keep our programs running. For example, most of our Meals on Wheels delivery volunteers are over the age of 70. This is a terrific opportunity for college students who are at home.”

The Meals on Wheels program has 32 delivery routes in North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres and Bonita Springs, supplying daily, nutritious home-delivered meals and friendly safety and security checks to eligible homebound neighbors who cannot shop or cook for themselves. These neighbors include seniors, the disabled or chronically ill adults. The services provided help ensure the continued health and well-being of over hundreds of elderly and homebound citizens in our community.

Meals on Wheels volunteer Grace Martin, 84, started delivering meals once a week to up to 18 homebound seniors when she retired to Southwest Florida.

“I call them ‘my people,'” she said. “I like to be there for someone. They are interesting people, and it’s rewarding to give.”

Volunteers will be scheduled at their convenience and are needed Mondays through Fridays between 9 a.m. and noon. Background checks are conducted and volunteers who drive must have current driver’s license and vehicle insurance information.

Meals on Wheels volunteers are among more than 3,000 volunteers who help Community Cooperative ease hunger and offer hope to people in need.

“We are so grateful for every volunteer who gives their time to Community Cooperative,” said Rachell Mays, volunteer services coordinator. “We need each and every one of them to accomplish the vital work we do.”

For information on how to get help, how to donate, or to learn about volunteer requirements and opportunities and fill out a volunteer application, visit communitycooperative.com.

For information on volunteering for Meals on Wheels, call 239-337-1055.

About Community Cooperative

For 35 years, Community Cooperative has worked to effectively eliminate hunger and homelessness in Lee County while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education and social service programs. With a dedicated team of volunteers, board of directors and staff, Community Cooperative stays committed to its core responsibility to collect and distribute resources through a strong and viable network of community partners. Community Cooperative is an exemplary steward of the resources entrusted to it and serves clients with compassion and integrity. Through collaboration and ongoing education, Community Cooperative supports and strengthens those whose lives have been affected by hunger and homelessness, ensuring that they have access to the resources necessary to transform their lives with dignity. For more resources and information on how to get involved, contact Stefanie Edwards at Stefanie@ CommunityCooperative.com or call (239) 332-7687. Monetary donations are always welcomed and can be made directly at CommunityCooperative.com, or mailed to: Community Cooperative, P.O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902.