Meals On Wheels In Tulsa Asking For More Volunteers During Holidays

Meals On Wheels Metro Tulsa needs volunteers as we near the end of the year. 

The organization had to cut its volunteer manpower by more than 1,000 people because of the pandemic. Leaders say they're working to get back to normal. 1,600 people in Tulsa County rely on Meals On Wheels Metro Tulsa, for food, pet assistance, home safety, or general wellness checks.

"The majority of our clients are disabled or homebound senior citizens," said Tara Harris with Meals On Wheels Metro Tulsa, "For the majority of our clients, the volunteer that they see during a meal delivery is most likely the only person they are going to see that day."

During the pandemic, Meals on Wheels Metro Tulsa, scaled back their manpower by more than 1,000 people--- because many of their volunteers fell under the high-risk category.

"We knew we would have more clients than ever before requesting a Thanksgiving dinner," said Harris. 

This Thanksgiving- volunteers were needed to pass out more than 800 Thanksgiving meals and there was a fear the organization wouldn't have the people to get the job done....the community showed up in such a huge way, some volunteers had to be turned away.

"We feel so blessed to live in a community who has a heart this big and responds when there is a community need. We are so appreciative of our volunteers and everyone out there who supports Meals On Wheels," said Harris. 

The organization has standards volunteers must meet to get back on the job, in order to keep everyone healthy.

Geraldine Duffield is one of those volunteers---- she is a client at A New Leaf and says she is happy to be back, helping her community.

"It makes me feel good to help other people because I know they can't go out and buy anything to eat during the holidays," said Duffield.

Meals On Wheels is trying to get back to the number of volunteers they had before COVID. They say volunteers are making an impact they can see immediately, with every meal delivered. 

To Volunteer CLICK HERE