Are you looking for a workplace volunteer opportunity? Try delivering Meals on Wheels!

Are you looking for a workplace volunteer opportunity that makes a huge impact on your community, is easy to implement and manage, and is something employees can do over the lunch hour? If so, delivering meals is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you and your co-workers!

It only takes a lunch hour to deliver meals to eight to ten people in need. How’s that for a power lunch? Companies of all sizes across the Twin Cities have discovered Meals on Wheels as the perfect volunteer opportunity for their employees.

Why does it work?

• Volunteers deliver meals once a month, once a week, or on a custom schedule depending on the team size,
• Meals are delivered during the employees’ lunch hour with a co-worker or individually.
• Typically, no one employee is out of the office for more than 1 hour a month.
• As a volunteer experience, this allows for great corporate social responsibility with minimal cost.

What are the benefits?

• Builds exceptional employee morale, creates better employee communication, and promotes team building.
• Allows busy people to give back to the community without taking away evening and weekend time with their families.
• Companies are seen in the community as a partner to Meals on Wheels, a trusted and well-known organization

What are companies saying about the experience?

Daniel O’Keefe, Executive Vice President for Benfield, Inc. says, "At the expense of a few minutes of weekly contact, I have provided companionship and friendship to an elderly person who might otherwise feel much more alone than she does. In return, I have experienced a friendship with a very remarkable woman. For me, it’s a very great return for a very small price."

Lindsay Wynne, former Meals on Wheels Volunteer Program Coordinator for 3M, says, "For busy people, it’s a great way to volunteer during the workday and get that personal reward for helping someone who might not otherwise have a nutritious meal that day, or even be able to remain at home. 3M began the program in 1989 to respond to a community need. Employee response has been great, but the community need continues, and the need for volunteers is ongoing."

WORKPLACE DELIVERY TEAMS: HOW DO THEY WORK?

What does a Workplace Delivery Team look like? A team consists of two or more individuals who agree to take turns delivering meals to seniors and people with disabilities. Volunteers can deliver in teams of two and may choose to do so once a month, or more often if it works for them. Teams can be easily scaled up to accommodate however many volunteers are interested.

How long does it take? The delivery takes about an hour. There are over 32 Meals on Wheels sites metro-wide, so the program site won’t be far away.

Who manages the process? Each Workplace Delivery Team picks one person to be the team leader. If needed, the position may be rotated within the group. This position may be filled with a community affairs employee or a volunteer.

What are the team leader’s responsibilities? The leader is responsible for maintaining a volunteer schedule and acts as the liaison between the company and the Meals on Wheels site.

What are the benefits? Volunteers will help eight to ten individuals in need of nutritious meals and a human connection. Just knowing you’ve made a difference in someone’s life can be a tremendous reward. It’s a wonderful way to feel coming back from your lunch break!

Sign up here:

https://meals-on-wheels.com/volunteer/workplace-delivery-teams/

Call us at 612-623-3363 or email info@meals-on-wheels.com for more information!