Frequently Asked Questions
How soon can I start the service?
Service can start within one business day's notice. Call us before 2 p.m. and we can activate service promptly.
Who is eligible to receive service?
Elderly people who are frail, people with an Acute or Chronic Illness, people who have a Physical Disability or a Cognitive Impairment, and for Caregiver support.
Do I have to sign a contract?
No, papers are not required to be signed, just a simple phone intake.
How long must I continue to receive the meals?
You may receive the meals for as long as they are needed. We prefer a minimum two-week order to be placed so you are able to experience a good variety of meals and benefit from the service.
What about emergency cancellations?
A 24-hour cancellation notice is necessary. Meals must be cancelled by 2 p.m. on the business day prior to delivery. If you cancel your meal after this, ie. the day of the delivery, or if you are not at home when delivery occurs, you will be billed for the meal and the meal will be given away to another individual in need.
When does delivery occur?
Our hot meal delivery is Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Our frozen meal delivery is on Wednesdays at the same time.
Where does the food come from?
Hot meals are prepared by
Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre and the Niagara Health System Ontario Street site. Meals are provided by professionals who strive for high quality in food preparation. Niagara Ina Grafton Gage prepares the frozen meals. Menus are reviewed bi-annually and Meals on Wheels meets with the food source staff annually for continuous quality improvement.
Do you have special diet meals?
Special diets are available by request. Some examples are: Cardiac, Diabetic, Low Fat, Low Salt, Pureed, etc. Please call the office for more information.
Can I order more than one meal a day?
Absolutely! For variety, we recommend our frozen food service for evening and weekend meals.
What is a Quik Pak?
Quik Paks are an automatic order of 4 frozen meals that can be delivered Monday to Friday. They are availablein Regular, Diabetic, Renal, and Pureed diets
Who will deliver my meals?
A pair of trained and friendly Meals on Wheels volunteers delivers meals. Our volunteers undergo an extensive screening process that includes an interview, completion of an application, reference checks and police check.
Do you provide transportation to medical appointments?
We do not offer this service. However, people needing rides to medical appointments in St. Catharines and Thorold can contact the Canadian Red Cross at (905) 704-0206 or by visiting www.redcross.ca.
I would like to attend Lunch Out but I don't have a ride. Are rides available?
Transportation to Lunch Out is available at no cost for eligible seniors. This is subject to availability of volunteers.
I am interested in volunteering. How do I go about arranging this?
We are always recruiting new volunteers. Simply call our office and ask to speak to our Volunteer/Program Coordinator. S/he will be able to discuss the details of our volunteer roles and our screening process. To ensure the safety of our clients, prospective volunteers are asked to complete an application, provide 4 reliable references, agree to a police check and participate in an orientation that will prepare you for your experience as a Meals on Wheels volunteer.
How much of a commitment is involved?
All we ask is a minimum twice a month for two hours, based on your availability. We have volunteers who deliver for us all summer and who are away all winter, and vice versa. Some of our volunteers deliver once a month because they are on shift work and others prefer to go out three times a week.
Volunteering is meant to enhance your life and provide a needed community service. We are very flexible and will work with your schedule.
Do I need a car?
If you want to be a driver, YES. A car is not necessary to be a volunteer. As an assistant you can be paired with another volunteer that does prefer to drive.
What special skills do I need to have?
Commitment, enthusiasm and a willingness to help others!
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