New Dawn Enterprises

About Sydney and Area Meals on Wheels:

The Sydney and Area Meals on Wheels program was founded in 1972 by small groups of church volunteers.  The Volunteer Resource Centre took over the program when it was incorporated May 26, 1983. Today, the program is administered by the Volunteer Resource Centre of New Dawn Enterprises and provides approximately 150 meals per week to seniors who are unable to cook for themselves on a full-time basis.

Meals on Wheels Volunteers

Volunteers are the heart of the Sydney and Area Meals on Wheels program. Volunteers are drivers who contribute their time and use of their vehicle. There are also helpers who visit briefly as they deliver the meals at the door.

NEW VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED! IF YOU HAVE A FEW HOURS EACH WEEK AND CAN HELP DELIVER MEALS TO SENIORS IN OUR COMMUNITY CONTACT JENNIFER AT 562-1245.

Individual men and women are welcome as volunteers. Also, relatives or friends who wish to work together can sign up as delivery teams. Individuals and teams of two (a driver and a helper) have the option of delivering once a week, several times a week, once every two weeks, or may prefer to be called when needed.

How and where are the meal prepared?

Meals include full course hot dinners consisting of soup, vegetables, meat or fish, dessert and bread. The meals are professionally prepared at Braemore Home, Simeon’s Family Restaurant and MacGillivray Guest Home. Special dietary requirements can be met upon request. Meals cost $6.00 each.

Benefits of Sydney and Area Meals on Wheels:

•  The regular provision of hot, balanced and nutritious meals
• The opportunity for Meals on Wheels clients to regain or maintain independence in the comfort of their own home
• The peace of mind that comes with regular social contact and monitoring of well being for friends and family
• The reduction of hospitalization and decrease in the duration of hospital stays related to poor nutrition
• Alleviating some of the burden of the primary caregiver in terms of meal preparation
• Securing a link between the client and other community services as appropriate

Who may request this service?

Requests may come from persons in need, relatives, friends, neighbors, community agencies such as hospital social services, nurses, VON, Public Health, doctors, clergy, etc.

While typically accessed by seniors in our community, the Sydney and Area Meals on Wheels program is available to anyone in need of meal delivery services. Meals are delivered at lunch or supper depending on the facility where they are prepared.

Program Funding:

The Sydney and Area Meals on Wheels program is a non-profit, volunteer driven organization committed to fostering independence and quality of life by providing affordable nutrition services. Sydney and Area Meals on Wheels is a United Way Member Agency. In addition to United Way funding, the program is financed through payments from recipients, and donations from individuals and groups.

The Sydney and Area Meals on Wheels Program pursues donations and fundraising in an effort to provide meals that are of the highest nutritional quality without increasing the meal costs paid by recipients. Donations and fundraising are also sought to add new program features and innovations to ensure that the program is constantly evolving to meet the full range of client needs.

    For more information:

     Jennifer MacKinnon

     Phone: (902) 562-1245

     E-mail: jennifer@newdawn.ca

     Mon. – Fri. 8:30am to 4:30pm