Cambria volunteers sought for senior nutrition program

The Senior Nutrition Program in Cambria needs some good-hearted volunteers willing to donate a couple of hours a month to help provide prepared food to seniors who need it. 

Jesse Miller, program manager on the North Coast, said he needs volunteer drivers to deliver mid-day Meals on Wheels to shutins, and kitchen help to help dish up the food that’s served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. weekdays at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2700 Eton Road.

The countywide program’s website at www.snpslo.org describes the program as providing “free, hot noon-time meals to seniors 60 years of age and over throughout (San Luis Obispo) County. These meals are delivered five times a week directly to our clients’ homes or to one of 10 lunch sites throughout the county. 

“In addition to serving a hot nutritious meal, our volunteers personally visit our homebound clients, offering social contact as well as emergency assistance when necessary.”

Miller said each of his volunteer drivers must have a clear California driver’s license and auto insurance. They’ll work one hour twice a month.

Kitchen assistants work two hours twice a month. 

“But of course they can volunteer for more days, if they want,” Miller said.

Miller always welcomes new diners, either at the hall or in their own homes. 

Meals are free, but because the program is so underfunded, some seniors who can pay, do. They pay up to $3 for each meal. 

Miller never turns anyone away, so an average of only about a third of that amount is collected. That’s why donations always are welcome to supplement the cost of operation.

This story was originally published August 12, 2015 at 11:30 AM with the headline "Cambria volunteers sought for senior nutrition program."