Sharing a meal is more than nutrition - the volunteers at Logan West Meals on Wheels know that the sharing of meals shows we are a community, we care, we value those who cannot care for themselves as they once did.
Throughout history we humans have gathered to share meals. I’ve been to Jewish homes on a Friday night and taken part in the Shabas meal, I’ve shared the Iftar meal with the Logan Muslim community breaking the fast during Ramadan.
At the church services I attend, we also symbolically share the bread and wine of a meal. And of course at Christmas time when we gather as a family - what do we do? - we share a meal.
The volunteers at Logan West Meals on Wheels know they deliver far more than sustenance.
They share the spirit of community. Some economists think we are simply the sum of our commercial purchases and that we simply desire to accumulate more and more.
These cold hard economists would not be able to explain the volunteers I witnessed gathering at the Annual General Meeting.
Treasurer Bev Wood read out a letter from one of the elderly people they deliver meals to which said “the volunteers are the most beautiful people… they come into my home with the most beautiful bright smile and light up my home with warmth and sunshine.”
Sometimes we focus too much on those who don’t do the right thing that we don’t spend enough time recognising people like President Karen Grasmeder, Treasurer Bev Wood and the many other volunteers.
It’s worthwhile joining a great crew like the Meals on Wheels.
If you have time to spare, then go to volunteeringqld.org.au website and find an organisation that ‘lights up homes with sunshine’ near you.
