Commuters, working parents, single people, shift workers, baby boomers … there are so many busy Coasties who can use a hand when it comes to dinner time. This is what local company Coast Cuisine had in mind when they launched their range of convenient meals this week.

Developed to support the iconic brand that is Meals on Wheels Central Coast, Coast Cuisine brings to the table an array of gourmet style products, aiming to make Coasties lives a little easier with their readymade frozen meals.

“Coast Cuisine came about after a group of Coasties got together and contemplated how they could make life easier for people just like them,” said Dennis Taylor, Head of Operations at Coast Cuisine.

“Many of the Coast Cuisine team lead busy lives themselves, and that, coupled with their experience in the food industry puts them in a very good place to meet the needs of the local community.”

The Coast Cuisine team is excited about the range of products that they will be offering, ensuring that wherever possible local and Australia wide produce has been used.  All meals are frozen and will be delivered directly to clients doorsteps, with an option also available to pick up orders from the Tuggerah premises.

“The product Coast Cuisine is presenting is big on taste yet still affordable and competitive.  With the added factor that all Coast Cuisine sales support Meals on Wheels Central Coast, we are sure that the local community will get behind us and give our products a go” Mr Taylor said.

For more information about Coast Cuisine and the array of meals on offer, go to www.coastcuisine.com.au

 

Meals on Wheels Central Coast is planning for the future, with initiatives in the pipeline to help this iconic brand continue its vital services to the local community for years to come.

One such initiative is the formation of One Direct Advisory Pty Ltd. A wholly owned subsidiary of Meals on Wheels Central Coast, One Direct Advisory will provide its services to organisations offering its advisors’ extensive knowledge to steer them through the new business environment that is evolving.

Offering advice to small to medium businesses in the not for profit and for profit sectors, the eight advisors in One Direct Advisory will use their skills gained through years of experience to cover mergers and amalgamation, governance advice, business and financial analysis, corporate and finance structures and marketing and business plans. One Direct Advisory’s clients will gain professional advice at a much lower cost than their competitors.

“This is a significant initiative for Meals on Wheels Central Coast,” said Dennis Taylor, Chief Executive Officer.

“We need to plan for our future to ensure that we can continue our good work in the community, and One Direct Advisory will help serve that purpose.

“By providing their services on a pro bono basis to One Direct Advisory, their team members are ultimately benefiting Meals on Wheels Central Coast.”

One Direct Advisory will provide a free initial consultation to fully understand the requirements and needs of individual projects, working out a schedule to cost effectively assist small and medium sized businesses. The team members of One Direct Advisory are focused on the future, to assist organisations move ahead in times of change.

One Direct Advisory has now been launched, and consultation appointments can be made via www.onedirectadvisory.com.au

On Friday 13 July we were extremely lucky to participate in the MARS Foodgroup’s corporate volunteer day.  Our corporate volunteers were able to go out on meal delivery runs and visit clients, being shown the ropes by our existing volunteers.

We thank the MARS Foodgroup for their willing volunteers, and for helping to bring some extra joy to our clients.

 

When it comes to helping hands, Meals on Wheels Central Coast has around 280 pairs of them. Boasting one of the largest volunteer forces in the region, Meals on Wheels Central Coast has a proud tradition of volunteering that exceeds 50 years.Since their establishment in 1967, Meals on Wheels Central Coast has utilised the assistance of local residents, who willingly give up their time to help others in their community.

Volunteers are the life force of the Meals on Wheels Central Coast organisation. Performing numerous roles, the volunteers form an important social support network for many of our community members. Volunteers can be seen hand delivering meals to clients four days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday), and can be recognised by their fluorescent vests and distinctive silver eskies. Each month over 530 clients receive personal meal deliveries from volunteers, who are always ready with a smile, and for a chat.

Unfortunately, a number of Meals on Wheels Central Coast clients are socially isolated, and a visit from a volunteer can not only provide much needed social interaction, but also provide a welfare check of sorts. Volunteers will happily take the meals into a client’s home, place these into the freezer for them, checking at the same time that meals are being eaten and there is enough storage room for them.

Another avenue where volunteers assist Meals on Wheel Central Coast is in the Community Restaurants where clients can enjoy a hot meal along with bingo and entertainment. Held at Bateau Bay, Woy Woy and West Gosford, the Community Restaurants are an ideal opportunity for clients to gather and enjoy a social outing, with transport able to be organised to and from the venues. Serving up meals, calling bingo numbers, assisting with set up and cleaning up after lunch, the volunteers help the smooth running of this essential service.

As part of Meals on Wheels Flexible Foods Program, volunteers provide one on one shopping assistance to clients. This invaluable program is in high demand and as such volunteers are currently being sought to assist on the Central Coast Peninsula. A program tailored specifically for men, Plates for Mates is an important social aspect in some Meals on Wheels Central Coast clients’ lives.

Led by a volunteer, male clients meet monthly at Ettalong to enjoy lunch and a blokey chat. Due to their constant contact with clients, some volunteers have formed close bonds with clients, going the extra mile to help brighten their lives.

The volunteer team is why Meals on Wheels Central Coast can offer the services that they do. The term ‘many hands make light work’ certainly applies to this organisation, with many volunteers having served loyally for a number of years.

Volunteers are currently needed for Community Restaurants, and for the Flexible Foods Program on the Peninsula. For more information, please contact Meals on Wheels Central Coast on 4357 8444.

 

A client survey was recently sent out to our Meals on Wheels Central Coast clients to help us determine how we can improve the services we offer to our local community.

The results are in, and we are extremely happy to report that our ‘more than just a meal’ tag line rings true with our clients.

Social interaction and support ranked highly with our clients, for both those who receive meal deliveries, and those who visit our Community Restaurants.  Our Community Restaurants offer not only a hot meal, but also a social outing for our clients who are able to interact with their peers and enjoy an entertaining day out.

For those clients who receive meal deliveries, our volunteers are able to offer them social interaction via means of a smile and a chat, as well as putting away their meals and ensuring that they are eating correctly.

The convenience of our frozen meals is also of great importance to our clients, as many of them no longer prepare their own food.

With our portion sizes being deemed by most as ‘just right’, and the service of our staff being highly praised, Meals on Wheels Central Coast are certainly delivering ‘more than just a meal’.

 

It was smiles all round when Ettalong Public School visited clients of Meals on Wheels Central Coast at their Woy Woy Community Restaurant on Tuesday.

As part of the NSW Seniors Festival celebration, School Leaders from Ettalong Public were in attendance, serving up a variety of morning tea treats to clients. Cakes and buns were distributed to Community Restaurant guests, before the commencement of entertainment by the school choir.

Performing two songs, John Williamson’s Raining on the Rock, and In the Silence by Glyn Lehmann, the young choir thrilled their audience with their lovely melodies.

Dennis Taylor, CEO of Meals on Wheels Central Coast said “We are grateful for Ettalong Public Schools participation in the NSW Seniors Festival this year.

“Our clients love to have the younger generation visit, and it also installs a good sense of community spirit in the primary school kids.

“Ettalong Public School have visited our clients at the Community Restaurant in the past, and we are thrilled that they chose to come and visit us again for the Seniors Festival”, Mr Taylor said.

The NSW Seniors Festival runs from 4 to 15 April this year, with two more Community Restaurant Open Days to be held at Meals on Wheels Central Coast’s Bateau Bay and West Gosford premises this week.

For more information, please contact Meals on Wheels Central Coast on 4357 8444 or admin@ccmow.com.au

 

A blitz of the back and front yard kind was held at Bateau Bay recently to assist a member of our local Community. Meals on Wheels Central Coast client Leigh Fitton’s yard was treated to the star treatment by a team of corporate volunteers from Salesforce who transformed the site armed with a plethora of garden equipment.

Mr Fitton has struggled to maintain his garden recently due to ongoing health issues. When Salesforce approached Meals on Wheels Central Coast to volunteer the time of its staff, Mr. Fitton and his garden were the perfect choice.

Salesforce, the global leader in Customer Relationship Management, brought a team of over 30 volunteers to work on the garden as part of its commitment to giving back to the community under the 1-1-1 Philanthropic Model. The Model means the company gives back 1% time, 1% equity and 1% product.

The results of their labours were much appreciated by both Meals on Wheels Central Coast and Mr Fitton, with the entire look of the exterior of the house converted.

Dennis Taylor, CEO of Meals on Wheels Central Coast said “Corporate volunteers such as those from Salesforce add tremendous social capital to our community through Voluntary work.

“This was a great team building exercise and we welcome corporate volunteer participation at Meals on Wheels Central Coast”, said Mr Taylor.

Mr Fitton is thrilled with the results: “I’m overwhelmed at the amount of work that was achieved in such a short time. My property looks fantastic and I’m very grateful to both Meals on Wheels Central Coast and Salesforce for all their hard work.”

Meals on Wheels Central Coast looks forward to working on future projects with Salesforce in the future.

 

 

Meals on Wheels Central Coast will be celebrating the NSW Seniors Festival this year by holding a series of open days at their Community Restaurants.

Working with the Seniors Festival theme ‘Let’s do more together’, the popular restaurants, located at Bateau Bay, Woy Woy and West Gosford, will be throwing open their doors and serving  up a complimentary three course meal to new Community Restaurant clients, accompanied by entertainment as well as some games.

The Community Restaurants form an important part of the work that Meals on Wheels Central Coast does, and act as social outlet for a lot of people who are otherwise isolated.

With return transport available at a cost of only $10, this is a wonderful day out where new friends and social contacts are made.

The open days will be held at Bateau Bay on Tuesday 3 April, Thursday  5 April, Tuesday 10 April and Thursday 12 April, Woy Woy on Tuesday 3 and Tuesday  10 April, and West Gosford on Friday 6 and 13 April.

Bookings to attend these open days are essential.  Limited places are available at all venues.  Please call 4357 8444 to reserve your spot.

For more information about Meals on Wheels Central Coasts NSW Seniors Festival celebrations, contact Pip Wilson on 02 4357 8424 or pip@ccmow.com.au.

Surviving a stroke at the age of 41, John Tass was finding it difficult to find a solution to his daily meals.  With limited mobility, he needed something convenient, portion controlled, nutritious, and of course easy to prepare.

 

Having tried a few different food delivery companies, John decided to give Meals on Wheels Central Coast a trial.  John was pleasantly surprised by the extensive range of items on offer in their menu and after trying the food was converted.  John has now been an extremely happy client for the past 18 months.

As a NDIS client, John is able to take advantage of reduced meal prices with Meals on Wheels Central Coast.  A charge is made against John’s NDIS plan for the preparation and delivery of his meals. John is still responsible for the cost of his meals however is still thrilled with the affordable price and the fact that this service has made his life easier. With meals delivered straight to his door by volunteers, John knows that meals times will be a fuss free time in his household.  With favourites such as Rosemary Mustard Chicken, lasagne and roasts, not only is dinner a delicious experience, but there is ease of cleaning up, making time at home more manageable.

“I’m eating balanced meals now and I don’t have to worry about the hassle of preparation”, John said.

“My partner gets a break from cooking for me, and with Type 2 Diabetes, I’m finding it a lot easier to eat correctly and not put on weight as my meals are now portion controlled.”

John is grateful for the service that Meals on Wheels offer, enjoying not only the meals, but the social aspect of the volunteer visits.  This brightens his day, with volunteers fitting into his schedule to make their deliveries on a fortnightly basis.

As a registered NDIS provider, Meals on Wheels Central Coast is here to assist people with disabilities and their carers.   For more information, please contact Meals on Wheels Central Coast on 4357 8444 or leesao@ccmow.com.au

 

 

A morning tea was held on Monday 19 February to celebrate one of our volunteers, Fred Leake, who picked up an Australia Day Award this year for his volunteering work in the community.

Fred first started volunteering with Meals on Wheels Central Coast 33 years ago, and at the age of 93 is still delivering meals twice a month to our clients.

Not only does Fred volunteer with us, but he also makes time to read with students from Ettalong Public School and Woy Woy South Public School on a regular basis.

Thank you for all that you do for our community Fred!

Pictured below are Fred (Centre) with some of the Meals on Wheels Volunteers and Staff Members.