2021-09-22

VON hot meal delivery program expanding to North Queens

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Victoria Order of Nurses (VON) program in Queens County is expanding its hot meal delivery services to North Queens and is looking for clients as well as delivery volunteers.

The not-for-profit organization has had the program available in South Queens for a number of years and now is looking for up to 25 clients to sign up in the northern part of the municipality, as well as 10 volunteer drivers to support the program.

"We have been able to find a local supplier, Hollow Log, that is willing to make hot meals for us," said Heather Kelly, VON'S program coordinator for community support services. "Now I'm starting to get the word out and hopefully we can get 20 to 25 people to sign up and enough volunteer drivers by the first of October so we can get the program started."

She noted that volunteer drivers will get their mileage reimbursed.

The hot meals will be delivered free of charge to the client's doorstep around noon, Monday to Friday. There is no age limit or any rules on who can order and the cost is just $6 per meal. Each meal comes with a side dish, an entrée and a dessert. Monthly billing is available.

Currently, VON has 10 clients signed up for the hot meal delivery service in South Queens. Though the organization is currently limited by suppliers, if more people sign up it "will find a way to feed them. We are always looking for more clients," said Kelly.

VON – Queens County has also been operating a frozen meal delivery program for the past seven or eight years.

About 25 regular clients from Queens are taking advantage of the meal program. VON delivers about 500 meals per month. The program also recently expanded to serve clients in Shelburne and Lockeport.

The frozen food program offers 26 varieties of dishes to choose from.

"I would eat them every day myself," enthused Kelly. "The ones I've tried are really good."

She said it takes about six minutes to heat up in the microwave or clients can also heat the meals in their ovens.

The meal program originated in Ontario, and food is provided by the company Apetito, which specializes in meals for hospitals and long-term care homes.

The food selection caters to special diets, and there are lactose-free and gluten-free options. The food is made to be healthy, low in calories and salt content.

According to Kelly, the frozen food delivery program continues to grow "as more people hear about it. Mostly through word of mouth."

Delivery to North Queens is once every two weeks and every Thursday to clients in South Queens.

VON in Queens County has been providing service to residents since 1931. It is a not-for-profit, national health care organization that offers a wide range of services from transportation to in-home nursing care and free meal delivery.

Funding comes from a variety of sources including government, community fundraising and revenue from nursing services that is supported by the Nova Scotia Continuing Care department.

For more information or to sign up, contact Kelly at VON Queens County or by email at heather.kelly@von.ca.