Chatham-Kent's mayor and a few councillors hit the road Monday morning to help deliver meals to isolated people in the community.
Darrin Canniff, along with Michael Bondy and Amy Finn, took part in Mayors for Meals, an event to promote Meals on Wheels in Chatham-Kent. The mayor showed up at St. Andrew's Residence on Park Street in Chatham around 10 a.m. to meet the kitchen staff that prepared the meals before picking up a delivery bag and heading out to deliver the food to local residents.
CK Mayor Darrin Canniff speaks with kitchen staff at St. Andrew's residence who prepare food for Meals on Wheels. March 25, 2019. (Photo by Greg Higgins)
"You lead by example," Canniff said. "If we want people each and every day to come out and volunteer, well you need to be a part of it too. This program needs volunteers each and every day, 365 days a year and that's the amazing part about it. I can't imagine how many days people do this. They take a lot of time, their own personal time, to give back to the community. That's what so impressive about it."
According to Melissa Bishop, the volunteer and community service coordinator with St. Andrew's Residence, volunteers use their own cars and gas to deliver food three times a week. She said the group really appreciated the mayor and councillors helping to promote the program, which has 70 volunteers delivering to 371 clients.
Bishop added the program isn't just for the elderly.
"If you know someone suffering from isolation, get them registered with Meals on Wheels," Bishop said. "There's no requirement for the program and they can stay on for as long or as short as they'd like."
According to Bishop, it isn't just about the food as delivering volunteers may be the only people clients interact with. She added volunteers perform security checks and will notify the proper authorities in case there has been an accident or injury.
She added there are no referrals needed. She said anyone can sign themselves up or sign someone else up through their website or by calling the facility at 519-351-6325.