September

Issue 3 / 2013
Wintalyka
Meals on Wheels distribution centre opens
By Helen Gregory
June 6, 2013, 1:44 p.m.
HUNTER aged and residents with a disability who
use Meals on Wheels have access to a wider choice
of meals and more social interaction since the
organisation opened a new distribution centre at
Tighes Hill.
The centre has been operating since August last year but
was officially opened by NSW Minister for Disability
Services Andrew Constance on Thursday.
NSW Meals on Wheels Association Future Food Project
Management’s, Tim McGovern, said prior to the centre’s
opening, the 10 community service organisations across
the Hunter that receive government funding to operate
Meals on Wheels in their area would either cook meals
in their small kitchens or liaise individually with one of
seven food suppliers to buy frozen or chilled meals.
The suppliers would travel as far as Scone to deliver their
meals to the community organisations to distribute.
Mr McGovern said now all 10 organisations could order
meals from all seven suppliers, who would deliver all
meals directly to the Tighes Hill centre.
‘‘The community organisations who now don’t have to
heat or make meals in their small kitchens can now use
their resources to increase direct support to clients,’’ Mr
McGovern said.
‘‘Volunteers can spend more time with clients, come up
with individualised plans to eat in social places.”
‘‘We’re more than just a meal, the volunteers that visit
our clients are another form of critical nourishment,
checking on our our clients’ wellbeing.”
‘‘Research shows if you’re socially isolated and you’re
depressed you get more depressed, if you’re sick you get
sicker and if you’re dying you unfortunately die faster.’’
The distribution centre will provide about 30,000 meals
per month for more than 3000 clients.
Janice Sullivan and Matt Conway at the new Meals on Wheels distribution centre.
Picture Ryan Osland
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nswmealsonwheels.org.au