Williamson-Burnet County Opportunities is seeking volunteers to help deliver meals to elderly homebound residents in Leander, Cedar Park and Liberty Hill.
Individuals, churches, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to sign up for delivery routes to offset the shortage of drivers, said Denise Schilli, WBCO Meals on Wheels site director.
"Many businesses and churches sponsor a delivery route for one day per week. Then each week, someone from that business or church volunteers to deliver the meals on that route," she said in a news release. "If four people volunteer, then each person can take a turn delivering once a month."
Volunteers can work on their own schedule and deliver meals daily, weekly or monthly. Meals are prepared at the WBCO Bagdad Senior Activity Center, 351 N. Bagdad Road, Leander, and then delivered throughout Cedar Park, Leander and Liberty Hill. Deliveries take up to 1 1/2 hours and begin weekdays at 10:30 a.m. All volunteers receive training and are subject to a background check before delivering meals.
"Unfortunately, many seniors are unable to cook a meal for themselves. Because of the volunteers, we can ensure that they receive at least one nutritionally balanced meal each weekday," said Andrew Shell, WBCO executive director. "Even more, for many seniors who live alone, this daily delivery from our volunteers is the only human contact they receive on a daily basis. Being a volunteer to deliver their meals provides health, nutrition, friendship, and allows them to age in their own homes."
WBCO is a private, nonprofit organization that has served Williamson and Burnet counties since 1966. WBCO manages six senior activity centers, serves as the Meals On Wheels provider throughout Williamson and Burnet counties, operates 13 Head Start campuses, manages two affordable housing complexes, and runs community services centers with utility assistance programs, homelessness prevention programs and budget counseling throughout Williamson and Burnet counties.
For more information about volunteering, call 259-0288.