Northern Mallee Volunteers is asking workplaces to get involved with Mildura Meals on Wheels.

The program has been running for 47 years and assists 265 frail, aged and disabled people through the delivery of more than 25,000 meals every year.

Commonwealth Bank Mildura branch manager Wayne Lennox has been lending his staff to the cause for about nine months.

“They’re still on our time clock while they’re delivering the meals but obviously it’s well worth it because of the sense we are contributing to the community,” he said.

“We deliver these meals and we see the thanks and smiles from people.

“They get a shock to see someone from an organisation like the Commonwealth Bank.

“It’s absolutely satisfying.”

While Commonwealth Bank workers give up their time on Wednesdays, Westpac bank lends a hand on Thursdays.

Bunnings and Retravision have also participated in the program.

Generally in a team of two, volunteers collect the meals from the Mildura Base Hospital at 10.30am every day and spend two hours delivering them to residents on their list.

Northern Mallee Volunteers project officer Kellie Hollingworth said corporate volunteering was one way of attracting assistance for not-for-profit groups.

“Mildura Meals on Wheels provides a unique way for organisations to promote what they do, as staff can wear their uniforms and branded work cars can be used to deliver the meals,” she said.

Businesses interested in volunteering for Mildura Meals on Wheels need to provide a car to transport the meals.

For more information contact Kellie on 5023 7796.

This story appeared inside Thursday’s Sunraysia Daily 9/9/2010.