Meals on Wheels Day will celebrate the important role played by its volunteers

And during the pandemic when many have had to stay at home, this service has become more crucial then ever.

Net week, on August 26, national Meals on Wheels Day will recognise its dedicated volunteer workforce that stepped up to help protect the health and wellbeing of vulnerable Australians during the Covid-19 pandemic.

When the first Covid diagnoses came to light, many Meals on Wheels volunteers aged 70 and over were recommended to self-isolate for their own safety, while younger volunteers stood up to support their communities.

Meals on Wheels Southern Highlands manager Debbie Smith said their client numbers had "basically doubled" since the start of Covid with an additional 100 clients joining our service.

Ms Smith said they stood down about 80 volunteers who were all over 70 and currently had 40 active volunteers, 20 of which were new since the pandemic started.

Since March, Meals on Wheels Southern Highlands has delivered more than 14,000 main meals, 3500 desserts, nearly 700 soups, more than 100 sandwiches and 350 salads as well as 88 shopping services.

Meals on Wheels NSW CEO, Les MacDonald said national Meals on Wheels day recognised the "outstanding contribution of our wonderful volunteers, who ensure older Australians remain nourished and safe at home every day."

"It has been an uncertain last 12 months, with bushfire devastation and now Covid-19. We offer gratitude and thanks to all of our 35,000 volunteers in NSW, and the growing band of individuals and organisations that have come on board who continue to support us."

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Federal Government provided additional funding which allowed Meals on Wheels services to continue delivering nutritious meals to an increased number of vulnerable members of the community.

"We are so thankful to the government for supporting us during this uncertain time through the increase in funding," Meals on Wheels Southern Highlands Manager Debbie Smith said.

"They recognised and reinforced the essential role our service plays in ensuring food security for people in our community.

"Locally we have seen a near doubling of the clients that we have been servicing and a great number of additional volunteers helping us at this much needed time. The need is great and additional volunteers are always welcome."

Meals on Wheels clients have also shared their appreciation of the volunteers who have continued to deliver meals in these difficult times.

"Thank you so much for continuing to deliver our meals through this challenging time, it's so nice to see people come to the door with meals, a smile and a chat. It has been the highlight of the pandemic for us. Not sure what we would have done without you" Don said.

"Thank you to all the lovely volunteers, for always making sure we are ok and not letting us go without. Also, a big thanks for the special extra fruit and things we have been getting," David said.

Meals on Wheels Australia President, Sharyn Broer said Meals on Wheels Southern Highlands and their volunteers had demonstrated immense resilience through the pandemic.

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