North Shoalhaven Meals on Wheels has upgraded its kitchen and equipment thanks to a number of donations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The new gear will help the organisation upscale its operations and provide more meals to the elderly and people with disabilities.
The new equipment includes a Bratt pan, refrigerated truck, walk-in freezer and packing room and 10-tray Combi oven.
The funds and items have been donated by the NSW State Government, VEOLIA Mulwaree Trust, IMB Bank Community Foundation, John T Reid Charitable Trusts along with money raised by Meals on Wheels.
Sue O'Brien president of Meals on Wheels Jervis Bay and North Shoalhaven Secretary said the new equipment was "absolutely essential" to help its operations.
"It's going to be a bonus to bring meals to the community through a freezer truck and now we can spread our wings to the Illawarra and further down the South Coast," she said.
"To be able to provide wholesome meals that meet the national Australian guidelines for older people is what we're really about."
The new equipment means North Shoalhaven Meals of Wheels will be able to produce over 2000 meals a week on top of the 300-400 meals it already cooks for current clients.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began Meals on Wheels has been extremely busy.
In the northern Shoalhaven alone it has increased its clients by 150.
Sue said the charity was in desperate need of volunteers.
"We really need volunteers, because of COVID-19 we've had to stand down volunteers over 70 and with the new kitchen we'll need a lot of new volunteers."