Meals on Wheels Volunteer Runner

Position Title: Meals on Wheels Runner (Volunteer)

Department: Community Services

Reports To: Supervisor, Meals on Wheels or designate

Program Description:

Meals on Wheels is primarily a nutrition program with therapeutic, preventative and social components. The service involves the safe and efficient delivery of hot and frozen meals to persons who are unable to attend to their own nutritional needs. These clients include the elderly, disabled, chronically ill and/or convalescent.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the supervisor or designate, the volunteer will assist in the organization of effective delivery of the MOW program in collaboration with other volunteer and staff.

As part of a delivery team alongside a volunteer driver, the Meals on Wheels Runner helps deliver nutritious meals directly to clients’ homes, while also offering meaningful social interaction and conducting a brief safety check.

Quality, Health & Safety/Risk Management:

To reduce risk to clients, employees, volunteers and the agency, SPRINT Senior Care expects that all employees and volunteers will work within the mandate of their job description, and abide by the policies and procedures of the agency. Each volunteer is responsible for acting in a way that will not put themselves or others at risk.

Training:

• Volunteer onboarding e-modules
• Health and Safety training
• Program specific orientation

Responsibilities:

• Report to the Sunnybrook Hospital Meals on Wheels office by 10:30 a.m. to meet with the volunteer driver and gather instructions for delivery of meals to clients on route and noting any special instructions for the day (e.g. no bread).
• Some bending and/or lifting required.
• Assist with loading the food containers into the volunteer driver’s vehicle.
• Ensure meals are delivered in a timely and respectful manner.
• Chat briefly with clients and monitor clients’ well being.
• Be familiar with emergency procedures.
• Promptly report client absences or if you notice any changes in the clients’ well being to Meals on Wheels Co-ordinator.
• Uphold privacy, dignity, and food safety standards at all times.

Time and Commitment:

• Volunteer shifts available weekly Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Volunteers should consider a minimum of three months commitment.

Organizational Responsibilities:

• Represents SPRINT Senior Care positively and professionally in the community.

Success Measures:

• Feedback from clients and supervisor.
• Feedback from the Volunteer Satisfaction surveys completed by volunteers regarding their experience.

Benefits and Challenges:

• Developing new friendships.
• Helping isolated seniors and feeling direct accomplishment of helping your community.
• Risk of seeing people battling illness or depression may be a challenge.
• A risk of being first on the scene during an emergency situation.

Qualifications:

• Friendly and positive attitude.
• Reliable and punctual.
• Good communication skills and a compassionate attitude.
• Satisfactory Police Records Check.
• Interest in community based social service and/or food services to an older adult population.
• Ability to demonstrate good judgement and tact.