How to Deliver Meals on Wheels
Qualifications of a Good Meals on Wheels Driver
1. Has a friendly personality with good listening skills.
2. Practices personal cleanliness and grooming, especially of the hands
and fingernails.
3. Does not have any health problems or contagious illnesses that
would adversely affect the participants.
4. Possesses a valid driver's license and auto insurance including bodily
injury and property damage coverage.
5. Passes a criminal background check.
6. Is 18 years of age or older.
7. Maintains confidentiality of client information at all times.
Volunteers should never discuss names, addresses, or any client
information outside the Meals on Wheels office.
8. Relays any concerns clients may have verbalized regarding their
meals (specifically on food or delivery) to the Meals on wheels office
coordinator.
9. Be observant. Notice unusual client behavior or
physical conditions endangering a client.
Emergencies
While delivering meals, if you find that a client has fallen or is
experiencing a medical emergency, determine the nature of
the emergency, such as shock, bleeding, or not breathing, etc.
Call 9-1-1 and then call the Mow office to notify the office
coordinator.
A substitute driver can be called to proceed with
the delivery if need be.
Volunteer Responsibilities
-Arrive at the Meals on Wheels office (223 W Amerige Ave) on time.
-If you are unable to be there, notify the office as soon as possible.
-Park in the lot behind the MOW office.
-Knock on the back door and wait to be let inside. (The door is usually locked)
-One volunteer is allowed inside at a time. Please wear a mask.
-NCL drivers MUST find their own replacement if they are not able to drive the route they signed up for. Penalty for no call/no show is $50.00 each offense.
-NCL members should sign in to receive NCL hours in the NCL Binder next to Pam and Janet’s desk.
-Ask Pam or Janet for your route book.
-Take the cooler, basket, and possible bag corresponding to your route number from the hallway.
-Before you leave, count your meals and drinks to make sure the right amount is in your cooler(s).
-If you are driving routes 1 or 2, your will need to drive to St. Jude to pick up your meals.
-Make sure that any packed meals with name labels correspond to those in your book.
-Do not put meals on floor while checking names. Check quickly to maintain temperature.
-Read client and direction card for each delivery’s specific instructions. (take not of multiple clients at one address)
-Follow the Covid-19 precaution instructions in your basket, including using gloves and masks during delivery.
With the Client
-Knock loudly and call out "Meals on Wheels".
-Many times, clients have difficulty getting to the door and may take extra time. Please make every effort to let the client know you are there. If the client opens the door, greet him/her by name (Mr./ Mrs./Ms.) and introduce yourself by name.
-Offer assistance to place the meal in the fridge or on a table inside, if needed. Remember, the clients enjoy and look forward to a visit from you. You may be the only person the participant sees all day, so wear your biggest smile, be an attentive listener, and be as tactful as possible.
• If a client does not respond when you go to the door, call the client and/or
call the office to see if the office coordinator can call the client to let them know that their meals have arrived. If the client ultimately does not respond, note it on the route book cover sheet so that the office coordinator can follow up with the client.
• If there is a cooler outside the client's home, check to see that there is a cold ice pack inside. If an ice pack is in the cooler, place the meals inside and attach the lid.
Do Not Deliver If:
-There is no answer/no cooler/no blue ice pack in cooler. Leave a yellow notice (provided by office) on the client’s door explaining that you were unable to deliver the meal. Make a note on the route book cover sheet.
-Do not smoke in the presence of the clients.
-Do not tear or open the plastic on the food trays.
-Do not accept gifts or money from clients, except for payment for meals.
- Do not solicit personal business interests with clients.
- Do not enter or approach a home if you have any concerns for your safety. If concerned, avoid that environment and proceed to the next stop. Any immediate concerns should be reported to the office coordinator.
- Do not enter the client's home without his or her permission.
- Do not offer personal care or advice to clients.
- Do not review maps or lists while driving. If you need to look at driving directions, pull to the side of the road first.
End of Route
- After you have completed your assigned deliveries for the day, return your cooler(s) and route book(s) to their original location.
• Return any client donations that you have received to the office coordinator.
• Note any other client information (no answer at door, in hospital, etc.) on the route sheet and turn it into the office coordinator.
• NCL drivers: Remember to log your hours on Digital Cheetah. You receive 2 hours per route driven.
Communication
- Since volunteer drivers interact with most of the participants on a daily basis, they are the eyes and ears of the Meals on Wheels program and it is important for them to
inform others of the changes they notice. Some examples of this include:
• More than 3 uneaten meals (provided by MOW) in the
client's home.
• Changes in the client's appearance or behavior
• Unusual signs of disorder or unsanitary conditions
Discuss any of these changes with the office coordinator so that the appropriate case manager can be notified.
Routes 1 & 2
-Drive to St. Jude Medical Center after visiting the MOW office to sign in and collect your route book, coolers, and drinks. (101 E. Valencia Mesa Dr.)
1. Enter the complex on Bastanchury Rd. Entrance is marked on the map with a red star.
2. Immediately turn left, circle around building as shown, and park.
3. There should be a cart with coolers and bags next to a door around the area circled.
4. Take your empty cooler and bag to the cart. Transfer the food from the hospital’s containers (either from the bags marked “Route 1” or “Route 2”, depending on which on you are driving) into your containers. Check that the names on the meals (if there are any) correspond to those on your route. LEAVE THE EMPTY HOSPITAL COOLERS AND BAGS ON THE CART.
5. Begin your route as usual.
On Your Way Home
• Congratulate Yourself!
• Enjoy the good feeling knowing you have contributed a much appreciated service to those in need in your community