Meals on Wheels Week, 2-6 November, aims to celebrate the work of staff who played a ‘pivotal role’ in helping vulnerable people during the Covid-19 pandemic get access to a nutritious meal.
Paul Freeston, chair and chief executive of Apetito UK & North America, said: “For many people who were elderly and vulnerable, and in many cases clinically shielded, Meals on Wheels have been a literal lifeline. Undoubtedly Covid-19 has drawn awareness to the need for this service and highlighted the immense value it delivers within the community.
“This has been evidenced repeatedly with heart-warming stories across the UK and indeed, readers may like to visit our video where customers receiving Meals on Wheels have paid some lovely tributes to those people who have helped them during this period and explained what the service means to them on a personal level."
Since March, Apetito has experienced an estimated 20% growth in demand for a hot meal delivered regularly to vulnerable people’s homes.
In celebration of the contribution by drivers, Apetito is giving out ‘Hidden Heroes’ awards to people have gone beyond the call of duty to help deliver food to vulnerable people.
Charlotte Bell, commercial and operations manager for Apetito Services, added: “Each and every-one one of our team working across Meals on Wheels this year are heroes, and I would like to recognise and thank them all.
“Our drivers have delivered nearly 2 million meals in the last twelve months, working hard to ensure all demand has been met with no waiting lists – even through the height of lockdown earlier this year. And, now as a second lockdown looks imminent – we know the service is once again going to be under pressure to help those in need.”
Meals on Wheels drivers not only ensure the elderly and vulnerable receive a nutritious meal, but they also offer a wellbeing check and in some cases the driver is the only person they would have seen that day.
To find out more about Apetito’s Meals on Wheels service, visit: https://www.apetito.co.uk/meals-on-wheels/.