About meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels has been operating in communities for more than 65 years, founded in 1965 by the late Rhonda Cameron, who saw a need in her local community for a meals delivery service.

Meals on Wheels in Queensland, operates in over 140 communities, delivering on it core promise of “More than just a meal”, providing our clients and their families with peace of mind, a genuine sense of community, companionship and a regular check on their welfare with every nutritionally balanced meal delivered.

Meals on wheels is an inclusive organisation, which aims to support all members of the community.

The Importance of Volunteers

Meals on Wheels in Queensland is built upon the commitment and dedication of our volunteers, and recognises the pivotal role that volunteers play within the community. Binding our communities together and truly making a difference to almost 20,000 Queenslanders each day of operations.

Volunteering is an essential community resource which promotes active citizenship and social inclusion. Volunteering extends value to our communities to make them safe, robust, inclusive and culturally rich as volunteers come from all walks of life and come together to achieve a common goal for their volunteer organisation. Volunteering provides a vehicle for individuals or groups to address human, environmental and social needs.

Volunteering is often thought of in terms of the benefits it brings to others, however, it also benefits the individual. Volunteering provides an individual with increased social interaction, self-awareness and confidence; benefits mental health; helps to achieve personal objectives; enhances skills and extends experience in various working environments and more broadly the Aged Care sector.

The amazing support of our 7,000 volunteers across Queensland makes it possible for our service to be provided to all our clients. Even just a few hours a week, or even a month, can help support our clients and give them the ultimate gift -the ability to continue living in their homes for as long as possible with the independence and dignity they deserve. Volunteers help make it possible for Queensland Meals on Wheels to provide a vital service within communities, at an affordable price for our clients.

Our Wellness and Reablement Approach

Every day a friendly smile, a chat about the weather, a nutritious meal and knowing someone will drop by to say hello changes the lives of many Australians.

Independence is something we all value and to have that taken away through not being able to go to the shops for groceries or to cook regular meals should not be an obstacle to autonomy. While meals can be delivered to suit each client's specific needs, our not-for-profit service is more than just a meal. As well as nutritional support, Meals on Wheels volunteers provide important social contact and can monitor a client's well-being, health and safety.

Admiring photos of grandchildren or discussing the latest book release may not be part of a job description for a volunteer, but these little things add up to a very big thing in a client's life -having someone share part of their day.