The efforts of high school students in Fort Frances have helped fill the gap as local organizations report volunteer shortages emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Alana Stewart, student support navigator at Fort Frances High School (FFHS), saw an advertisement in the newspaper that the Meals on Wheels (MOW) program was looking for volunteers, she contacted Sheri Monahan, food service coordinator from Riverside Healthcare, to see how students could get involved.
The high school is now entering its second year of participation in the MOW program.
“The students that have been participating seem to enjoy it! I feel that getting the students involved in the community is very important,” said Stewart.
“Personally I’ve noticed a downward trend of community volunteerism - there are weekly ads in the paper for many organizations looking for help, and many people and organizations rely on volunteering to function. I hope that participating in the MOW program opens the door for students to consider getting involved in their community in any way and increases the likelihood of them volunteering throughout their lives.”
As well as helping students meet their required 40 hours of volunteering to graduate, Stewart said the experiences can help build self esteem, community connections, intergenerational relationships, and resumes.
MOW is a healthy hot meal option for clients that have difficulties making their own meals at home. For eight dollars, clients are delivered a main plate and two sides, soup and dessert. The meals are delivered to a variety of groups including seniors, people with physical disabilities and cognitive impairments, individuals suffering from illnesses and recovering from surgeries, and those who need special dietary planning and assistance.
“This program is unique because the meals are delivered directly to clients. A bonus is they are also prepared by a certified chef and follow the Canada Food Guide. The volunteers who deliver add a personal touch and strengthen the sense of community,” said Monahan, food service supervisor from Riverside who helps coordinate the initiative with FFHS.
Naudia Rose Traubenik, a student volunteer from FFHS, said she’ll likely receive all her required hours through the MOW program. Out of all the volunteer opportunities available to students, Traubenik enjoys volunteering for the MOW program because of the interactions with residents in the community.
“I think this one’s probably one of the better ones because you experience more," she said.
“One thing that I really liked from doing my deliveries was [that] the elderly ladies would get really happy just to see someone young doing something like that. And they would always say to me that they’re proud to see me doing this. And it makes me happy. It makes my day.'
Traubenik decided to volunteer for the MOW program after receiving encouragement from teachers in the student support room where she often went to catch up on homework.
“A lot of students nowadays are socially awkward just because of COVID. And they’re comfortable talking to their parents and their grandparents, but they’re not comfortable talking to adults that they don’t know,” Traubenik said.
Being in her last year of high school makes in-person opportunities more memorable to Traubenik, who hopes to pursue studies in environmental science in southern Ontario.
FFHS will continue to volunteer while students remain in school, excluding summer break and holidays such as Christmas and March Break. Riverside runs the program Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.
Stewart emphasizes that the school does not volunteer many hours with the MOW program considering that it is a daily operation and FFHS volunteers to do a fraction of the deliveries on Tuesdays, but that she appreciates the opportunity for students to collaborate with Riverside and their willingness to work with students.
Only two or three students are able to volunteer per week due to the maximum number of seats in a car. Students interested can visit Stewart in room 136. Stewart said FFHS will continue to volunteer in the MOW program as long as she can keep it going.
“The delivery service is made possible by the wonderful volunteers through community organizations, groups, or just individuals that enjoy delivering meals. We are always in need of more volunteers to keep this valuable program going,” said Monahan.
MOW began almost 50 years ago, operated by volunteers who prepared meals at Rainycrest. Currently, Riverside coordinates the intake, payment, delivery, and meal preparation for over 50 clients registered to receive meals.
Fort Frances Times/Local Journalism Initiative
