Meals on Wheels started in Kelowna by a dedicated group of women; the wives of the Kiwanis membership created this needed service, and for 31 years their mission was to provide hot, nourishing meals and to promote independence and self-sufficiency with dignity, respect and compassion to people in need in Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley.
A brief history and how "Meals on Wheels" was founded. "The Blitz" during World War II; the sustained bombing of Great Britain by Nazi Germany between the months of September 1940 and May 1941 that "Meals on Wheels" was born. In London alone a million houses were destroyed or damaged and over 50,000 innocent men, women and children lost their lives. Many people who had lost everything including their homes lost the ability to cook food for themselves. That is where the Women's Volunteer Service for Civil Defence or WRVS, provided food for these people.
The "Meals on Wheels" name originated and was derived from the Women's Volunteer Service related activities of bringing meals to servicemen in the war. In 1947, after World War II in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England, "Meals on Wheels" very first home delivery was made by the Women's Volunteer Service.
Meals on Wheels is the most recognized name for senior nutrition programs by improving the quality of life and is one of the best known and most appreciated nonprofit services in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. The need for "Meals on Wheels" is greater than ever.
Meals on Wheels started in Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley in February 1969 by Kiwasa. A dedicated group of women; the wives of the Kiwanis membership created this needed service, and for 31 years their mission was to provide hot, nourishing meals and to promote independence and self-sufficiency with dignity, respect and compassion to people in need in Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley.
In the year 2000, after 31 years of volunteering the ladies of Kiwasa asked the Kiwanis High Noon Club to take on the responsibility for this needed and valuable service. The reason for the change was their membership was dwindling significantly and becoming more elderly. On July 1, in the year 2000, the Kiwanis High Noon Club took on the challenge to ensure this excellent service was not compromised or discontinued in Kelowna area.
The Meals on Wheels program was re-structured in 2001 as a separate society under the name of Central Okanagan Region Nutrition Society (CORNS). Although the Kiwanis High Noon Club initially took over the Meals on Wheels service, they were soon joined by the Kelowna Club and Summit Club both financially and with volunteers. Since 1946, Kiwanis is committed to service to the Kelowna Community and has had an active presence in Kelowna and the surrounding areas in the Okanagan Valley.
Meals on Wheels (CORNS) was a finalist nominee for the City of Kelowna Organization of the Year award in 2002 and 2004. In 2005, Meals on Wheels were the recipient for this prestigious award.
Meals on Wheels in Kelowna is a not-for-profit organization that relies on volunteers to provide nutritious meals which promote health, well being and independence for Meals on Wheels" clients. The Kelowna Full Gospel Church provides "Meals on Wheels" hot meals at a subsidized rate with Chef Carol orchestrating the menus.
Many "Meals on Wheels" clients are most appreciative of the volunteer work and definitely need this service to help them cope with their ongoing struggles in their walk through life. Some wonder what they would do and how they would survive if it was not for "Meals on Wheels." It is rewarding and gives a volunteer at "Meals on Wheels" a feeling of doing something good with some real meaning and purpose to what they are doing is right!
A quote from a "Meals on Wheels" Volunteer:
I delivered a meal to a client who mentioned she was down in the dumps: had too many facial wrinkles and whatever. I said, "Give me a big smile!" She did and I said, "I do not see any wrinkles!" The smile got bigger and I heard her laugh. It made her day as well as mine.
Together, we can feed more; together, we can do more. Today, a volunteer’s help is more important than ever. Volunteer; it will do your heart good.
Look for my many articles on the Internet under James Murray Author for more information or email at jjmurray007@yahoo.com.
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