Mobile Meals, previously known as Fish Hoek Service Centre, has been serving the elderly community of Fish Hoek for more than 40 years.

Fondly referred to as Meals on Wheels, the organisation recently changed its name to Mobile Meals to avoid confusion with the national organisation with which it is not affiliated, according to chairperson Denise Bateman.

Operating from a fully equipped kitchen on the grounds of False Bay Hospital, the team relies on funds raised by the Fish Hoek community and is currently in need of volunteers to help continue its work.

“We are very grateful for the continued support of the community whose monthly donations enable us to continue to operate,” said Ms Bateman.

The recipients are provided with meals on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Twelve cooking teams - provided with R750 for ingredients to prepare a meal for 25 people consisting of a meat dish, vegetables, a pudding or cupcake, and fruit - will cook throughout the month in the kitchen or at their homes.

The meals are dished in the hospital kitchen and are then collected between 9.30am and 10am by a team of volunteer drivers to be delivered to the recipients.

Recipients are accepted based on their needs, which may include not being able to cook for themselves, being in poor health, or recovering from an illness which can be a temporary arrangement, Ms Bateman said, adding that it is not restricted to the elderly, but most of the recipients are elderly.

She said recipients were asked to make a monthly donation to cover some of the costs. The organisation, she said, could make deliveries in the Fish Hoek and Sun Valley areas.

However, many cooks, she said, “are feeling their age and resigning”.

“Sadly, the very stable community of Fish Hoek is also aging, and the number of very elderly who are unable to shop or cook for themselves is increasing,” she said.

Liz Harrison who is in charge of the cooks, said the organisation was in desperate need of volunteer cooks.

“Find a friend who will cook with you and form a team or volunteer as an individual, and we put you in a team. The pleasure of providing a hearty home-cooked meal which will be delivered to an elderly person is very rewarding,” she said.

The driver teams would also welcome new volunteers, as with more volunteers, the organisation could expand and provide more recipients with meals, she said.

Should you wish to volunteer as a cook, call Ms Harrison at 072 210 6804. If you wish to volunteer as a driver, call Ms Bateman at 083 626 1399. New recipients can WhatsApp Caroline Millard at 073 477 5921 for more information.

Mobile Meals driver Bill Oliver and the organisation’s chairperson, Denise Bateman.

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