It is a community effort

SINCE 1989, Pomona District

Meals on Wheels has been providing nourishment for clients in the Noosa hinterland.

Volunteers Betty Maher and Brenda Goody began serving $1 meals to elderly residents in need. From its humble beginnings, volunteers were soon preparing up to 170 meals per week.

Initial funding and assistance came from the Cooroy Pomona Lions Club, fundraisers, local businesses, family and friends.

Today, the goodwill of volunteers is still the lifeblood of the organisation which services clients in the local area.

The organisation would like to thank all those who donate financial support and produce, especially Alanah and Makayla who donate canned goods annually with funds from their own pockets.

The organisation has steadily increased its client base, and over 1,100 meals were supplied to clients during January.

Meals consist of three courses: a main meal, soup and dessert, with many of the clients finding this is enough to cover two meals each day.

All meals are cooked in the kitchen located at the back of the Pomona School of Arts hall on Reserve Street, Pomona. In 2022, a grant from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund allowed the organisation to refurbish the kitchen, replacing the stainless-steel benches. The next phase is to build a dry store/pantry to free up limited storage. It is hoped this will be achieved by taking a small area of the hall, of which the hall committee is supportive. The production and delivery of meals would not be possible without the generous support of our wonderful volunteers in all areas: kitchen, delivery and office. The organisation is always in need of volunteers. Anyone who would like to join the team for a few hours a week, fortnight or month – or anyone in need of the service – can contact 07 5485 1777 or email admin@ mowp.org.au.

Hours of operation are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 am to 12 noon.