Perhaps not every organisation was completely ready when the COVID crisis reached its latest new phase, but Narrabri Meals on Wheels was.
The recent onset of the new, much more contagious omicron variant triggered a new regime of service provision by Meals on Wheels for its 50 daily clients.
“We had already planned for this and had prepared a COVID action plan ready to be activated when the occasion demanded,” said Meals on Wheels co-ordinator Donna MacMillan.
Mrs MacMillan had a strategy ready to go in an emergency and it was put into action last week.
“The aim of our strategy was to ensure Meals on Wheels would be ‘business as usual’ as much as possible – providing meals for our clients – and adapting to the situation as it evolved,” she said.
This meant that when the Meals on Wheels’ access to their food preparation facilities at Whiddon Robert Young kitchens had to stop because of COVID, Meals on Wheels could quickly move to a new kitchen.
“We had arranged with the Showground Trust to continue our meal preparations at the Showground pavilion kitchen,” said Mrs MacMillan.
“Everything was in place and a few phone calls had us in operation.”
Mrs MacMillan said the Whiddon Robert Young team had made sure there was a smooth transition.
The aged care facility had implemented necessary access protocols to ensure residents were protected from COVID.
And ready to go for MOW was the recently renewed kitchen at the Showground pavilion. The kitchen has undergone a major upgrade into a gleaming stainless steel, state of the art facility equipped with new ovens, refrigeration, dishwasher and preparation areas. “It’s top of the range,” said Mrs MacMillan.
Meals on Wheels facing higher costs in COVID crisis
While Meals on Wheels continues its service delivery, the COVID crisis has meant significant extra costs – and the organisation is seeking some urgent help.
Narrabri Meals on Wheels has full use of state of the art kitchen facilities at Narrabri Showground pavilion, but the COVID crisis has brought significant extra costs.
“We have had to buy in prepared, frozen meals from Tamworth MOW to supplement our normal services,” said Meals on Wheels co-ordinator Donna MacMillan.
“This has added significantly to our expenses.
“We are hoping that some benefactors will help by providing some financial help, of any size, to assist us in this crisis.
“Tamworth Meals on Wheels has been very supportive in letting us initially have three days’ supply of frozen meals from their inventory, and they can continue to supply us, but naturally this is an additional cost.
“Meals on Wheels volunteers will always provide absolutely the best service to our clients to ensure we continue our volunteer delivery of up to 50 meals each day.
“No one will miss out.
“There will necessarily be a few limitations on what we can provide but we will be working on a combination of our own cooked meals and supplied frozen meals, prepared for delivery in our kitchen.
“It is an emergency situation and we can’t operate exactly as normal.
“But is a learning process and we are working through it – so far, so good.”
The volunteer organisation traditionally manages on a very tight budget, but service delivery is never compromised.
“Our clients across town are used to a hot meal every day and it will be a meal we prepare or a frozen one we reheat,” said Mrs MacMillan.
“We are buying in and preparing fresh salads and desserts daily in the kitchen.
“If we had access to a coolroom we could buy in advance and that would relieve the daily shopping trips.
“Any help to defray our extra costs would be very welcome,” Mrs MacMillan said.
“We just have no idea how long we will be in this situation.”
The Meals on Wheels volunteers will be working in small teams of three or four at the kitchen to reduce the risk of infection, she said.
Kitchen and delivery volunteers are all observing public health regulations as Meals on Wheels continues its much-appreciated work in the community.
Anyone who would like to assist Meals on Wheels in the current situation may phone Mrs MacMillan, 0427 924 835.
