Roberta’s untimely surgery had her recovering at home in April this year, immediately after the closure of Meals on Wheels in Indigo Shire, leaving her bereft of the support service that had helped so many before her.
She said living without assistance was a lesson in humility, but is encouraged by the new service that has risen in its place.
“It was a lesson for me about how people live and how much they need this service,” Roberta said.
“Because of my surgery there was very little I could do for myself at home; I had very limited movement.
“It would have been nice to get some meals delivered and have someone to chat with.
“This new service is going to be wonderful; it’s going to bring back that personal touch we lost when Meals on Wheels closed.”
Volunteers from services clubs, including Lions, Rotary and the former Meals on Wheels, have come together to re-establish, as closely as possible, the caring, personal service provided by Meals on Wheels over many generations.
Starting this week, the new community initiative, dubbed ‘Made with Love’, will initially service the Indigo North communities of Wahgunyah, Rutherglen, Chiltern and Barnawartha.
As more volunteers become available, there is potential to expand deeper into Indigo Shire and cross-border to Federation Council.
Local not-for-profit organisation Amaranth Foundation has agreed to work with these groups to help fill the gap, providing the meals and delivery service.
Amaranth is a well-established charity that has built a reputation for providing affordable, nutritious, chef-prepared meals.
With an operating service area of 100 kilometres from Amaranth’s headquarters in Corowa, there is scope for further expansion of the service across the whole of Indigo Shire and Federation Council as interest and usage grows.
Amaranth CEO, Julianne Whyte said while there are some fantastic providers of food across the community, they’re still outside what a lot of vulnerable people can afford.
“We’re trying to use what food we can source from donations and other sources, provide a low-cost, nutritious, high-quality meal,” Julieanne said.
“We'll be working with volunteers from Rotary, Lions and the old Meals on Wheels.”
A coordinator in each town will deliver the food to those who need it, and it’s not just for people with disabilities or on a pension.
Anyone who needs to can use the service as an option.
There is a frequently asked questions document and info page available on the Amaranth website, and a stand-alone website with online portal and Facebook page are on their way.
This initiative demonstrates the extraordinary strength of regional communities when people and organisations work together to care for one another.
For further information contact Amaranth Foundation on (02) 6033 1738, email support@amaranth.org.au or go to the website at amaranth.org.au
