Sharing the Warmth of the Season

With the help of community partners and volunteers, Meals on Wheels delivered some extra holiday cheer along with this week’s meals — packages of homemade Christmas cookies prepared by the bakers at Café Marie.

“Offering a small gift or treat during the holidays is one way we show our care and appreciation for the people we serve,” said Meals on Wheels Manager Sara Roth. “It’s a way of letting them know they have a community of support that cares not only about their nutritional needs, but about their overall well-being as well.”

The holiday season also provides a meaningful opportunity for corporate teams to get involved and make a positive impact in their community. Staff from RBC spent Tuesday morning preparing the cookie packages, which were delivered by Meals on Wheels’ regular volunteers alongside teams from Cape Breton University, Scotiabank, and Syd Scoots.

Meals on Wheels relies on the dedication and generosity of more than 100 volunteers each year. Every week, about 35 volunteers deliver meals and provide a friendly check-in to seniors and others in our community who face challenges with nutrition and social isolation.

Holiday volunteering is just one way workplaces can get involved. The Adopt-a-Route Program offers a meaningful, year-round opportunity for businesses and groups to make a positive impact by taking responsibility for one delivery route per week.

Employees deliver in teams of two, with a commitment of just 1.5 hours per month. Over the course of a year, each group delivers approximately 600 meals and provides friendly check-ins to as many as 100 seniors. As an added benefit, research shows that employee volunteering can boost job satisfaction and morale while encouraging teamwork and strong communication.

“Meals on Wheels delivery happens weekdays between 2PM and 4PM, which is a challenge for prospective volunteers who work regular business hours. When we invite corporate teams to deliver meals as part of Adopt-a-Route or for special activities like packing holiday cookies, they get to volunteer as part of their workday, connect as a team, and provide much-needed service in our community,” Sara Roth said.

To register your company and group for the Adopt-a-Route Program, or to learn more, call the Meals on Wheels office at 902-562-1245 or send an email to mealsonwheels@newdawn.ca.

This year’s holiday cookie packages were made possible thanks to funding from the NSLC Community Fund, supporting client well-being and social connection during the holiday season.

In addition to the time employees spent volunteering, RBC also made a generous holiday donation of $1,500 to Meals on Wheels, helping to further support our programs and the people we serve.

Meals on Wheels provides nutritious, affordable, ready-to-eat meals delivered directly to the doorsteps of seniors and others in our community who are unable to prepare meals for themselves. Each year, our friendly and dedicated volunteers deliver more than 20,000 meals, helping people live well — and live longer — in the comfort of their own homes.

Serving Sydney and surrounding areas, Meals on Wheels is responding to a growing need for accessible, healthy food. Poverty and food insecurity are rising across Canada, and food prices in Nova Scotia are expected to increase by more than 6 per cent next year. In the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, nearly one in four seniors lives in poverty, placing many at heightened risk of chronic food insecurity.

As a charitable organization, Meals on Wheels relies on community support to continue this vital work. With your help, we can do even more to reduce food insecurity and support seniors and others in our community to age with dignity, independence, and comfort. Please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a monthly donor—it’s the gift that keeps on giving, and a meaningful way to share the holiday spirit.