Meals on Wheels program in need of new volunteers as need for services increases

SALT LAKE CITY — A program that delivers meals to homebound older adults in Utah is in need of volunteers to keep up with growing demand. 

The Meals on Wheels program depends on volunteers to get well-balanced meals to adults over 60 who are unable to prepare their own food.

“Currently in Salt Lake County, we deliver about 1,400 meals to home-bound older adults every day,” Paul Leggett said.

Leggett is the division director with Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services. He said the need for volunteers is greater than ever because the need for their services is growing.

“By 2035, there will be more older adults in Salt Lake County than school-age children. Add to that the cost of food, the fact that people are living longer, which is wonderful, means that the need and the desire to be on this program has increased.”

Leggett said while they haven’t seen a decrease in funding from the state Legislatures, their budget is staying flat, which can make addressing the growing need difficult.

“We’re always trying to think ahead of ‘If this funding goes away, what do we do?’ And volunteers are such a strong part of the program.”

Recruiting new volunteers is one way the program can help meet the increased need.

Leggett said even just 30 or 40 minutes here and there can go a long way.

“It’s more than just giving somebody a meal. It’s also that check-in. For a lot of our clients that are homebound and isolated, the volunteer that they see for Meals on Wheels is perhaps the only person they’re going to talk to that day.”

To get involved with the Meals on Wheels program, visit Salt Lake County’s website or call their outreach line at 385-468-3240.

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