Most of us have probably heard of Meals on Wheels—after all, the organization has been around for 50 years. Providing nutritious meals to people who are homebound due to age or disability is their main function, and like many non-profit organizations, Meals on Wheels relies heavily on volunteers. 

It's nationally recognized, but did you know there are several Meals on Wheels facilities in Baltimore County that serve our community? 

The distribution site that serves Perry Hall is in St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Gardenville. Currently, meal delivery volunteers are in high demand. Working in teams of two, as a driver and a visitor, volunteers deliver meals to clients on weekdays between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Drivers use their own cars (mileage is tax-deductible). Visitors provide social interaction with clients.

Volunteers can be matched up or bring their own partner. Each volunteer session takes about an hour and you decide if you want to volunteer once a week, every other week, once a month or on a substitute basis.

The Meals on Wheels Lunch Bunch is another great way to get involved. Within your workplace, co-workers can team up to deliver meals on their lunch hour. A customized schedule can be made so that no one employee will be out of the office more than once a month.

Meals on Wheels also doesn't forget about needy pets. After volunteers noticed that clients were sharing their meals with their beloved pets, Meals on Wheels formed the Kibble Connection. Volunteers are needed to pickup and delivery pet food along with regular deliveries, or on weeknights and weekends.

Other opportunities include packing meals, being a phone pal or a grocery shopper, doing office work for various Meals on Wheels departments or becoming an outreach volunteer or community ambassador to assist in recruiting volunteers at events and festivals.

Meals on Wheels provides a life-changing service to their clients.

"I am really fortunate. I just can't say enough about the volunteers and the entire Meals on Wheels program—it's given me the ability to stay in my own place and continue to live the life I want," said John Wheeler, a Meals on Wheels client and Army veteran, who served four tours as Special Forces in Vietnam.

If you would like to become a Meals on Wheels volunteer, visit their website www.mealsonwheelsmd.org, call Liz Galea at 410-573-0940 or email volunteer@mowcm.org.