Meals on Wheels

Many have heard of Meals on Wheels - the organisation that delivers tasty and nutritious meals to seniors not just throughout the Peninsula, but nationwide. Currently in the Manly local government area, Meals on Wheels delivers to 240 people every week, providing three different courses every day, with lots of options to choose from.

The food options don’t include your standard sandwich or bangers and mash for dinner - instead meals usually include a soup, a main (spring lamb casserole, roast pork with apple sauce, or creamed fish, for example) and dessert – raspberry and white chocolate pudding is on the menu!

Yet what many don’t know is that every Friday Meals on Wheels Manly holds a lunch for seniors – and they are currently looking for more people to fill up the empty place settings.

Held from 10:30am to 1pm, the lunch includes a three course meal (plus tea and coffee with a chocolate biscuit!) all for $6, with a door to door bus service for an additional $2. Along with lunch, seniors are able to join in activities such as art, lawn bowls, bridge and even table tennis.

“Everyone has a story,” Tom Miles, the food services coordinator of the Manly Meals on Wheels tells Peninsula Living, who were invited to come in for a Friday meal. “They all sit around and listen to each other’s tales and adventures. It’s a great chance to get out of the house, meet other people, make new friends and enjoy a meal.”

93-year-old Richard Keast (who is proud to say he’s just passed his driving test again!) is a new Friday lunch regular. “I’ve lived by myself for a long time, and it was suggested to me by a friend that I should come here,” Richard explains. “It’s nice to sit with others and have lunch.” And is the food up to scratch? “Oh yes!”

John Eaton (who is 85 ‘going on 42’) agrees. “It’s a lot better than Vegemite sandwiches, and beats staring at the wall. It’s all about the companionship – the food is a bonus!”

For more information on Friday lunches, call 8966 9925