National Meals on Wheels Day celebrated

As part of National Meals on Wheels Day, the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, paid tribute to the 80,000 volunteers and workers, who deliver about 15 million meals a year from 750 kitchens, to frail aged and people with disabilities across Australia.

“Meals on Wheels is a wonderful service,” Mrs Elliot said. “It provides nutritious meals to our nation’s frail aged and people with disabilities across Australia.

“Meal on Wheels also provides important social contact for people, who are housebound, with many of the meals delivered by volunteers.” Mrs Elliot said.

Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Senator Ursula Stephens, also paid tribute to Meals on Wheels and its volunteers.

“Meals on Wheels is a huge part of Australia’s invaluable volunteering effort, and I congratulate everyone involved in this important work,” Dr Stephens said.

Around 20% of the Meals on Wheels’ budget is provided by state, territory and Federal Governments.

Last year, around $30 million was allocated to Meals on Wheels organisations for meal delivery services.  This paid for 11 million meals alone.

These 11 million meals provides in NSW 3.048 million meals a year; 2.99 million in Victoria; 2.067 million in Queensland; 1.048 million in Western Australia; 1.06 million in South Australia; 335,000 in Tasmania; 277,000 in Northern Territory and in the Australian Capital Territory 118,000.

“The Rudd Government is committed to fostering a nurturing and innovative environment for volunteer organisations such as Meals on Wheels, to give all of us the opportunity to give something back and encourage strong, inclusive communities.” Dr Stephens said.

National Meals on Wheels Day is held annually on the last Wednesday in August and this year’s theme is “Fast and Friendly”.