Cork meals on wheels forced to cancel services due to lack of volunteers

As many as six volunteers are needed to help the services of the Bishopstown Meals on Wheels which has lost a large number of their helpers in recent times.

The service was forced to cancel all meals for a week last month due to a complete inability to prepare and deliver the food because of staffing problems.

Last week, following a speech on the altar from the local SMA parish priest and some encouragement from the local Tidy Towns committee, 12 new volunteers approached the charity to offer assistance, however, six more people are needed both in the kitchen and for delivery of the meals.

As well as this, the service held an open evening at Wilton Park House where their kitchen is based to meet and talk to people and this also proved very successful.

Bishopstown Meals and Wheels, which covers a large geographical area, over three local parishes, provides soup and dinners to more than 40 people for the past 40 years.

Volunteer Pat Harrington said this is an invaluable service and people should get involved in their local community by helping out.

“We need both people in the kitchen and drivers. We were in dire straights a couple of weeks ago, but we got 12 new volunteers last week.

“I think that shutting shop two weeks ago and holding the open evening really helped to get us volunteers. I think that is what got us out of the bind but we still have six gaps in our rota.” 

To volunteer with Bishopstown Meals on Wheels, contact bishopstownmealsbishopstown@gmail.com or Pat at 086 3183950 and Sheila 086 3176118.