Meals on Wheels is continually monitoring the evolving situation related to COVID-19 and our priority remains the health and safety of our clients, volunteers and staff. We are receiving daily updates from the Ministry of Health and we are planning for our services to continue unless we receive direction otherwise.

We will be implementing contactless delivery measures to ensure the safety of all involved. As such, volunteers will place client meals in a plastic bag to hang on the doorknob or place on a porch surface and knock/call the client as usual. Stepping back 2 metres from the door, the volunteer will wait for the client to retrieve the meal. These changes allow us to practice social distancing as recommended by health officials while continuing to ensure that our clients get a check-in from volunteers.

In addition, all volunteers are screened (temperature taken and questions about current health and travel status). Volunteers who have travelled are not permitted to deliver for at least 14 days after their return date. Volunteers are also using gloves and/or hand sanitizer between each delivery and all delivery equipment is thoroughly sanitized upon return to the Lodge.

We kindly ask for everyone's patience and understanding as these new measures may increase delivery wait times.

Learn more about how the City of Cornwall is responding to COVID-19.

FROZEN MEAL PROGRAM

In addition to the delivery of hot meals, Meals on Wheels has a frozen meal delivery.  The frozen meal program is an alternative or supplement to the traditional hot meal delivery.  The frozen meal program is an ideal program for those wishing to have more flexibility in choosing their meals and do not want to commit to staying home on a daily basis.

The frozen meals are prepared by a company called Apetito.  Apetito offers a tempting array of main dishes, soups and desserts, including meals suitable for vegetarians, diabetics and reduced sodium diets.  In addition, there is a special diet menu offering pureed, minced, renal, gluten-free and lactose-free meals.  With apetito frozen meals you can choose your own menu and prepare these entrees, soups and desserts at your own convenience.  The frozen meals are nutritionally balanced and designed particularly for seniors.  They generally have more protein and vitamins with controlled levels of sodium and less fat than other commonly available prepared frozen meals.

Apetito frozen meals are offered in two available packages:

• 5 main meals and a total of 5 soups or desserts for $43.00
• 7 main meals for $43.00

It is also possible to order individual meals ($6.25), soups ($2.50), desserts ($2.50), and breakfast snacks ($2.50).

Minimum orders of $30.00 or more are required for delivery.

The meals are presented in a cardboard container which can be placed in the microwave or oven. Each meal is labeled with cooking instructions as well as ingredients.

Delivery of Frozen Meals

Delivery of Frozen Meals will occur twice a month on Thursday afternoons between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.  (Please refer to the attached ordering and delivery schedule)

How do I order Meals?

Click here to view the Apetito Menu

By phone at 613-933-3384 ext. 4263 or 4267 

By email at amorin@cornwall.ca

When placing your order, please ensure you include:

• Full Name
• Address and Phone Number
• Date of Birth
• Health Card Number
• Alternate Contact and Phone Number
• Choice of items (the name and number from the menu)

Payment of Frozen Meals

You will be given a total when you order your meals.  You must have a payment (cheque, money order or cash) ready for the driver who will deliver your meals.

The hot meal consists of

• one main entrée (please note that while some allergies, intolerances and dislikes will be considered, there will be only one type of vegetable served daily)
• one soup (no substitutes for this item - only one type of soup is prepared daily)
• one tossed salad (salad dressing not included)
• one gravy
• one dessert (choice of regular dessert, diabetic dessert or fruit option)

The following diets are available:

• regular
• modified diabetic diet
• minced and pureed (Available by request from Doctor or Health Professional)

Volunteers also have the responsibility to report any unusual or at-risk situation/concern to the Meals on Wheels staff. Delivery routes have a total of 19 meal deliveries, so visiting is limited to a few minutes for each recipient.

The meal is delivered to the client's home between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. five days per week - Monday to Friday including all Statutory Holidays.

Recipients must be home in order to receive the meal. The volunteer must return meals to the Lodge if the client is not home, unless arrangements have been made with Meals on Wheels staff ahead of time. Food will not be left at the door. If the client is not home for the scheduled meal delivery, the Meals on Wheels staff will contact the client's home, if no answer, they will then follow up with the names provided as emergency contacts. It is the responsibility of the client to be home for the meal delivery or cancel the meal ahead of time.

An in-home assessment will be completed with all potential recipients of the program.

The following information will be required:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Date of birth
• Health card number
• Reason the meals are required
• Two contacts in case of emergency (one contact provided should be a designated Power of Attorney or someone in charge of finances in case of emergency) We will require a name, address and telephone number.
• Diet information
• Special delivery instructions

You will also be asked to sign a Service Agreement, outlining the terms of service.

The Meals on Wheels program is able to deliver over 30,000 meals yearly thanks to the financial support from the Champlain Local Health Integration Network, the United Way of SDG and the City of Cornwall.

Meals on Wheels is fortunate to receive financial, in-kind and service support from individuals, service clubs, church groups, associations and corporations. Their support, donations and sponsorship allows us to continue helping those who need our service the most.

On Monday, April 6, 1970, Cornwall Meals on Wheels delivered its first meals to 6 recipients throughout the city. The meals were prepared by the Cornwall General Hospital. The program however, grew quickly and within a month a second outlet was opened at Hotel Dieu Hospital to provide meals to 6 more recipients. Meals were only 3.00 per week. Meals on Wheels was completely managed by volunteers.

In 1994, the Glen Stor Dun Lodge became the main outlet for meal preparation as well as recipient coordination. In 1999, for the first time in Meals on Wheels Cornwall's history, a paid position was introduced. Funded by the Ministry of Health and the United Way, a volunteer coordinator was hired to manage a corps of over 300 volunteers.

Today, Meals on Wheels delivers to approximately 135 recipients throughout the city of Cornwall. Over 230 volunteers deliver meals on 7 different routes and recipients pay $37.50 per week for 5 meals that include an entree, a soup, salad, gravy and dessert. Meals are delivered Monday to Friday at lunchtime between 11am - 1 pm.

Interested in volunteering with Meals on Wheels? Give us a call today! 613-933-3384 ext. 4263

Every year, 250 volunteers are needed to deliver meals to our recipients. Volunteers are the life link to our recipients, who are frequently unable to experience the world outside their homes. The bright smiles and friendly greetings received by delivery volunteers are as nourishing as the meals.

Facts about volunteering for Meals on Wheels:

• Volunteers deliver in teams of two - a driver and a helper
• Training is provided
• Drivers use their own vehicles for meal delivery and mileage cost is reimbursed
• Meals are delivered Monday to Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
• Volunteers deliver once a month or as often as they wish.
• Flexible schedules are available
• Seasonal volunteers are welcome
• Corporate groups and clubs are welcome

Benefits of volunteering:

• Enhance someone's quality of life
• Be connected to your community
• Help your neighbour
• Meet a variety of people
• Support independence
• Socialize with other volunteers
• Be appreciated by recipients
• Flexible schedules

To be eligible to provide services to the Meals on Wheels program, volunteers must meet the following criteria to ensure quality of service to clients:

1. Interview and Orientation
Volunteers must be interviewed by Coordinator of the Meals on Wheels program to be assessed for eligibility and appropriateness to participate in the program, to receive orientation on the history and purpose of the Meals on Wheels program and the Glen Stor Dun Lodge and to be briefed as to their responsibilities upon acceptance into this program.

2. Application form
Volunteers must complete an application form. Please click here to fill out the online Application Form.

3. Confidentiality Agreement
Volunteers must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement at the time of registration into the Meals on Wheels program.

4. Valid Drivers Licence (for drivers only)
Volunteer drivers must be prepared to produce a valid drivers license for use in the Province of Ontario.

5. Insurance Coverage
Volunteer drivers must have adequate motor vehicle liability insurance. As guideline, liability, bodily injury and property damage coverage of one million dollars may be considered as adequate.

6. Police Records check
Meals on Wheels requires all potential volunteers to obtain a police records check and vulnerable sector screen. Potential volunteers must agree to present themselves to the Cornwall Police Station for this procedure. All information obtained will be kept confidential.

Corporate volunteering

Corporate or employer-supported volunteerism refers to a range of ways that corporations encourage and enable employees to volunteer in their communities.

The Corporate Volunteer program offers a unique opportunity for companies and individual employees to help deliver Meals on Wheels during the lunch hour.

How the program works:
An individual employee becomes a corporate delivery team leader and acts as liaison with Meals on Wheels. He or she coordinates 2 co-workers to deliver between 11: 00 a.m. and 1 p.m. to a specific route weekly or bi-weekly.

Benefits of Corporate volunteerism

• Happier, more satisfied employees
• Employees can develop new skills
• Enhanced loyalty, satisfaction and retention
• Higher levels of team spirit and cohesion among employees
• Increased productivity
• Increased visibility and exposure
• Enhanced public awareness of the organization
• Improved relations with clients

Do you have questions about volunteering with Meals on Wheels? Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.