Care and wholesome meals are served up regularly by the volunteers from the Jervis Bay and District Meals on Wheels (MOW).

Group president Sue O’Brien is proud her dedicated group of community workers not only give people wholesome food but also friendship.

“It (MOW) is more than just a meal and that is our slogan because it’s the visit as well. It’s that contact our drivers and delivery people have with the people in the community,” Mrs O’Brien said.

“It might be the only person they see all day all week.”

The group is set to mark National Meals on Wheels Day on Wednesday, August 29 and would love to see people come to their upcoming open day on Tuesday, September 11 at their Watt Street, Huskisson base from 11am.

Mrs O’Brien said the open day was a perfect opportunity to tell people what Meals on Wheels (MOW) were all about.

She said if people gave MOW a chance they would never look back and they would love to get more volunteers.

“Being a Meals on Wheels volunteers is very rewarding. We just don’t need cooks, drivers and delivery people,” Mrs O’Brien said.

Call 4422 5111 to find out more information about becoming a MOW volunteer.

The group leader said people had many skills MOW could use.

MOW always need more helpers for administration roles, washing up and people who could take social media roles.

People of all ages can volunteer with MOW.

“We have a young gentleman with an intellectual disability who comes one day a week and he is very good at washing up and preparing vegetables,” Mrs O’Brien said.

“There is always a role for everybody and you just don’t have to be retired either - we want younger people as well.”

The group cooks meals for between 50 to 60 for people on a daily basis.

People get one main meal, soup and a dessert in winter and in summer they get a main meal, soup and juice if they want it.

People pay $6 for their meals but arrangements can be made if people are under financial strain.

“Nobody would get sent way away without a meal,” Mrs O’Brien said.

The group has an impressive 140 volunteers on its books but more are needed.

They operate three days a week Monday, Wednesday and Friday and cook meals and meals are also backed up and stored in their large freezer for weekends.

Meanwhile, Mrs O’Brien has been a MOW volunteer for two-and-a-half years after she retired.

“I felt as being a retired person that I needed to give something back to the community,” she said

Mrs O’Brien has volunteered for many other organisations over the years.

“I would like to think I am committed to helping the community that I live in,” she said.

“I love volunteering - it’s my passion. Cooking is also a passion but helping people is so rewarding.”

The Huskisson/Vincentia group merged with the St Georges Basin group, formally based at the Meriton Street Community Centre, to form Jervis Bay and Districts in May this year

For sustainability and financial reasons, it made sense for the groups to join and operate from the Shoalhaven City Council facility in Huskisson.

Ian McGuire has been a MOW volunteer for 19 years.

He wanted to volunteer for MOW because the organisation once helped a close family member.

Mr McGuire is a man of many talents - from deliveries to washing up he is happy to help where he can

“I am happy to help people in need out and I would love to see more volunteers,” he said.

“It’s good to help your fellow man.”

Urszula Zielinski enjoys working in the kitchen and is also happy to help people in the community who need support.

Kathy Cargill has been a volunteer for five years and is happy to see such healthy food get sent to people in need

Kathy likes doing something important and positive for her community.