The Volunteer Experience

Are you hungry for a new experience?

Each weekday, Meals On Wheels serves a hot, nutritious lunch to over 500 homebound seniors living throughout Buncombe county.  That's over 660 square miles!  We could not accomplish this monumental task without a great deal of organization and the help of our dedicated volunteer delivery drivers!

Buncombe County Routes

Buncombe County is divided into 38 routes with approximately 12-16 seniors on each route.  Between 9 and 11 a.m., volunteer drivers pick-up 2 coolers filled with food at one of 13 pick-up locations around the county.   Route sheets are provided to help direct each driver to the homes of Meals On Wheels clients.  After all deliveries are made, the coolers are returned to the pick-up location and you're through!  On average, routes take 1-2 hours to complete which allows ample time to visit with our homebound seniors.

You Deliver More than Food

As a Meals On Wheels driver, you're our eyes and ears to alert us of any potential problems or situations.  For many of our seniors, the Meals On Wheels volunteer is the only person they see or speak to in an average day.  Our clients are happy to see you and will have a smile waiting when you first drive up.  While some folks may ask you to just set the meal on the table, others will enjoy spending a few minutes talking to you.  You'll form new bonds with some of our clients and begin to understand what an important difference you're able to make in their lives. 

Time Commitment

Meals On Wheels is flexible to meet almost anyone's needs.  Volunteers can elect to deliver meals once a week, once a month or once in a while as a substitute driver.  This makes it the perfect opportunity for homeschoolers, retirees, friends, couples and coworkers.  Routes take an average of 1-2 hours to complete, so in most cases, you're done before noon!

Corporate Volunteer

Here's a chance to get together with coworkers and make a difference in your community.  Delivering Meals On Wheels is easy to do and depending on the number of participants, a route can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. 

Some of the companies that deliver Meals On Wheels include UBS Financial, Webb Insurance and Deltec Homes.  Employees and owners have been participating in our Corporate Volunteers program for several years and recommend it as a great way to give back to the community!

Not interested in driving but have other talents to lend?

Ashley and Ivonne enjoy helping out around Meals On Wheels and have crocheted several scarves, afghans, shawls and other items for our homebound seniors.  Andrew helps out in the kitchen by cupping fruit, bagging rolls and mixing coleslaw for the next day's meal.  Joe answers the phone, changes the marquee and helps schedule volunteers.  Lyn, Patty and Sybil pack pet food for delivery to our homebound clients.

There's always something to do around Meals On Wheels and everyone has something to offer!  Come explore your own gifts and talents and help us serve the elderly homebound of Asheville & Buncombe County.