The covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on Murrysville Meals on Wheels, though it has been out of precaution rather than infection.
“Because of the crisis, we lost about a third of our volunteers,” said program coordinator Lynn Staab.
Murrysville Meals on Wheels typically draws from a pool of about 200 volunteers, with a half-dozen each working in the organization’s kitchen and delivering to the 50 people on its client list.
“In April we served 1,500 meals, in May we served 1,600, and in June we served about 1,700,” Staab said. “Our biggest problem has been all of the changes in the food market. We ran into unexpected things like not being able to find noodles or Ragu sauce. And our vendors have been changing their schedules, which can make it inconvenient for us.”
Staab is seeking new volunteers for the kitchen and delivery positions, asking for volunteers to commit a few hours once a month.
“They need a valid driver’s license and insurance, because they do use their own vehicles for delivery, and for cooks, we do ask them to follow our food handling safety measures, and it’s mostly common-sense things.”
Staab said First Presbyterian Church in Murrysville, where the Meals on Wheels group does its cooking, “has really stepped up.”
“They do a deep clean in the kitchen twice a week,” she said. “So in addition to the cooks sanitizing it daily, we’re getting it cleaned doubly. It’s really important to know that it’s a clean facility, and we provide gloves and masks for volunteers.”
The group has relaxed its delivery rules a little as well.
“We never used to leave meals outside, but if a client isn’t comfortable, we’ll leave a cooler at the front door,” Staab said.
Cooking shifts are from 8:15-11 a.m., and delivery shifts are from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
“Really all they need is the willingness to do it, and a smile,” Staab said. “That’s all we need to make it successful.”
To volunteer, or for more information, see Murrysville-MOW.org or call 724-327-6842.
