By Dionne Anglin Published 2 days ago Tarrant County
FOX 4
Tarrant County Meals on Wheels
faces massive volunteer shortage
The
nonprofit said more than three-dozen routes need to be filled as 2020 gets
underway and it could use as many as 70 volunteers to fill open spots.
Meals
on Wheels in Tarrant County is facing one of its largest volunteer shortages in
recent memory.
The
nonprofit said more than three dozen routes need to be filled as 2020 gets
underway and it could use as many as 70 volunteers to fill open spots.
Five
days a week volunteers spread out through the county and spend an hour, or
longer if they want to, to help people in need.
“One
of the clients, she calls me baby doll and says I remind her of her daughter
and that touched my heart,” said volunteer Kalina Haynes.
She
began volunteering six months ago and quickly learned many more like herself
are needed. The Tarrant County agency has 42 routes that are considered
uncovered.
The
shortage has prompted administrators to join volunteers in the field.
"A
lot of our volunteers are that baby boomer demographic and so they have older
parents that now need full time care. That's kind of their main priority,
they're entering retirement and wanting to enjoy that, so that's an element.
But also we are constantly receiving new clients,” said Jordan Lyle, Meals on
Wheels.
The
volunteer shortage can affect clients like Marie Short.
"They
need all the help they can get because they are doing something really great,”
Short said.
For
some it's about more than just delivering food.
"At
least I know they are going to come see me. Whether anybody else does or not,
they're going to be here,” Short said.
While
each county is unique, Dallas County's Meals on Wheels says it too is
struggling and could benefit from dozens of new volunteers.
https://www.fox4news.com/news/tarrant-county-meals-on-wheels-faces-massive-volunteer-shortage
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