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Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc.

Providing Meals on Wheels to the Venice FL area since 1969

 

Volunteer

Last year volunteers donated nearly 14,000 hours of their time to Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc. By giving 2 hours per week, the drivers alone totaled over 8,700 hours of meal delivery. Office managers provided almost 2,000 hours of in-office coordination. Additional volunteers provided over 200 hours of data entry service. Transportation and route directors, financial management, public relations, information management and Board of Directors provided over 3,000 hours. Every little bit adds up! These individuals all feel a strong calling to help in any way they can. Many other area residents, groups, and organizations donated to enable Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc. to provide meal service to those in need.

Why Volunteer ?

Volunteers are rarely in the limelight. They are the ones often found working long hours, helping to lighten brighten someone's day. Although volunteers may operate in the background, they are frequently the backbone of the organizations they serve, providing crucial support that benefits the organization as well as the community as a whole.

Volunteerism is a cause that many Americans believe in. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 63.4 million people (or 26.8% of the population) volunteered for an organization at least once between September 2008 and September 2009. American volunteers come from all walks of life. A report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that people ages 35 to 54 were the most likely to volunteer, followed closely by those over age 65. Married people and those with children under age 18 were more likely to donate volunteer hours, as were those who had graduated from college.

There are many reasons why people volunteer their time and services. Some people choose to volunteer to support a cause they are passionate about. Many people volunteer as a way to meet others who share their interests and have fun doing something to help others. If you are new to an area, volunteering is a good way to get to know the community. Best of all, volunteering gets you out of the house, keeps your body and mind active, and helps you learn something about yourself and others. It keeps you connected to the community.

March 31, 2010
Venice Gondolier Sun
Volunteer Testimonial
By Joan Houston, 2012 Board Secretary
September 25, 2011

Volunteering with Meals on Wheels is what Lucky and I did every Monday morning for ten years. I think we made a BIG difference in some lives but rather than thinking how we could make a BIG difference, we did not ignore the small daily differences that we could make which, over time, add up to the big differences that we often don't foresee. During those ten years we met many clients who needed our help, for just a few days, a couple of months, or every day.

They all had their story to tell and we were involved in their lives whether they lived in a penthouse or one of the sorriest rooms I have ever seen (right above one of the stores on Venice Avenue.) We gave of ourselves and our clients made us feel welcome in their lives. I remember one new client who apologized that she did not offer me coffee one day. I explained that we could not spend extra time with clients because the meals tasted a lot better when they were HOT.

Another client requested that I take out her garbage because it was a long walk to the bins. My favorite little old lady was about to celebrate her 100th birthday and her daughter was kind enough to let me know and we were offered some of her cake. We made the date a little more special by presenting her with flowers and a card. Another client would not let me go until I witnessed her physical therapy exercises after a hip operation. I was supposedly the expert since I had told her of my hip replacements. We enjoyed our clients so much.

Lucky used to tell the story about one client in a penthouse who offered him a $5 tip. He assured her that we do not accept tips but she said to him (while shaking a finger at him) "Sonny, don't ever turn down money". He took it and turned it in at the office.

I believe we are here to leave a legacy, to add what we can to life and not take away from life. Volunteering is sometime earning more by doing things that pay nothing. That feeling of satisfaction will remain with me for life. I hope you will all experience this in your volunteering. What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.

I'll close with this quote from Mother Teresa about getting involved: "What I do, YOU cannot do, but what YOU do, I cannot do. The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can do small things with great love, and together we can do something wonderful".
 
Your Help is Needed Now


Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc. is in desperate need of volunteers to manage office functions one morning per week from 8 to 11 am, and for volunteers for clerical help, data entry, usually for 2 hours, one afternoon a week.

Drivers are also needed that can give about 2 hours of their time to deliver meals one day a week.


The office and meals distribution point are conveniently located on the "island" of Venice.

Please fill out the form below, or telephone our office at (941) 488-1889 and leave a message with your name, telephone number and best time to reach you.

Make a difference in the lives of many !

Volunteer today !

 

No prior experience necessary. 

Just a willingness to give back to the

community, and bring a smile and cheerful disposition to the people you meet

and greet each day.  

You will be trained for the job your prefer.