Meals on Wheels Calls for Volunteers

One volunteer in Gulfport says he'll help pay for gas if you sign up to deliver meals to seniors in Gulfport.

Around 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, volunteers filter into the Gulfport Senior Center to donate their time and services with the Meals on Wheels Program through the Neighborly Care Network. Matt Orlando has been volunteering for about three years and says he loves it. "It's so gratifying. I love these people. Once you do it, you get hooked," he said. Orlando says he looks forward to socializing and getting to know the homebound seniors who depend on the meals. He often asks them about historic events and life stories during his stops. "Older people have so much knowledge," he said. Orlando is one of about 35 volunteers currently helping with about 11 routes in Gulfport. Each route includes 8 to 14 meals people in the program. Officials …

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Week in Review: Meals on Wheels Cuts, Florida Lottery, The Love Notes

Did you miss this week's top stories? From The Love Notes performance at the Senior Center to our weekly Jail Bookings Report, our "Week in Review" covers all our top stories.

VIDEO: The Love Notes Entertain, Interact and Inspire: Volunteers with The Love Notes exude energy and happiness with song and dance. Meet the performers who've been entertaining seniors in Pinellas County for more than a decade. Florida Lottery Debuts 25th Anniversary Scratch-Off Game: The special anniversary scratch-off ticket, 'Millionaire,' honors the Lottery's first-ever scratch-off game. The payoff is 25 prizes worth $290 million. How to Register to Vote in Gulfport: Six million people didn’t vote in the 2008 elections because they either did not know how to register or because they missed the voter registration deadline. The voter registration deadline for Florida is Tuesday, Oct. 9. Swope Endorsed by Fraternal Order of Police: …

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Meals on Wheels Funding Cuts: County Commission Candidates Weigh In

While funding for Meals on Wheels has declined, the need for it's services has risen. Watch our video and hear from candidates on where they stand on funding the program.

Every day, volunteers deliver 1,000 warm meals to homebound seniors across Pinellas County. The Neighborly Care Network's Meals on Wheels Program ensures elderly residents receive at least one meal a day. However, organizers say more seniors are being added to their waiting list while funding is decreasing. According to the Tampa Bay Times, county commissioners considered cutting all social action funding, which included $49,000 to the Pinellas County's Neighborly Care Network's Meals on Wheels program for fiscal year 2012. Commissioners eventually agreed to contribute partial funding, but organizers with Meals on Wheels say it's not enough to meet the growing need. Agency Spokesperson Sandi Narron says, "Funding for our vital programs …

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Drivers Greatly Needed for Meals on Wheels Program

Volunteer drivers are needed for the Meals on Wheels program in Gulfport. Learn more from officials today at the Fresh Market. Talk to Christine Angelou at their table today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We want to meet our commitment to get the meals out on time, that’s our goal,” Christina Angelou said. But, officials with the Neighborly Care Network's Meals on Wheels program say it's been difficult delivering meals to everyone in need because they don't have enough volunteers. "We need more drivers," Angelou said. The Gulfport Senior Center is one of several locations for the Neighborly Care Network's Meals on Wheels program in Pinellas County. Angelou is the site coordinator. She says volunteers run 10 routes a day and deliver 140 meals daily to homebound seniors in Gulfport.  Angelou says the program has a dedicated group of volunteers and are able to get food to those in need, but it means extra hours, extra runs and more work for …

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Senior Topics

Gulfport Senior Center Meals On Wheels Drivers Find Volunteering Rewards Them Beyond Words

Being a volunteer driver for the Neighborly Care Network's Meals On Wheels at the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center can be deeply rewarding, drivers say. With a current shortage of drivers, if you have ever considered doing it, now is a perfect time.

If you are looking for a way to volunteer that will be rewarding for you as well as those you serve, volunteers at the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center, 5501 27th Avenue S, who serve as drivers for the Neighborly Care Network’s Meals on Wheels program say there is no better way than becoming a fellow driver. And, Christina Angelou, site coordinator for Neighborly at the Center, points out there is no better time than now to do so. At the moment, she needs close to 20 new drivers to meet the needs of this popular nutritional program for homebound elderly seniors. Routes usually with anywhere from a dozen to 20 stops include Gulfport, as well as neighboring Gulf beach communities and parts of St. Petersburg, served from this site. …

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PatchCast

PatchCast: Area Mayors Deliver Meals On Wheels

Across the nation and right here in Pinellas County, mayors and city leaders helped deliver food for the Mayors for Meals Day on Wednesday March 23, 2011.

The annual Mayors for Meals Day helped promote the Meals on Wheels program and connect areas residents with their mayors and city leaders.  Every day, the program in Pinellas County delivers to nearly 1,000 residents across the county. According to their website, volunteers put in almost 48,000 hours delivering meals over the noon hour in 2010. Meals are delivered to those who are homebound. For more information on how you can help or enroll in the Meals on Wheels program contact The Neighborly Care Network  at (727) 756-1001 volunteer opportunities across Pinellas County and Gulfport. Meals are delivered to Gulfport Residents from the site located at the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center.

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How You Can Help This Holiday Season and Beyond

Families struggling to get by need your help putting presents under the tree. How you can make sure no one goes without a warm meal. And why homebound residents need your help now more than ever.

For the past 19 years the Gulfport Police Department has been making sure children receive toys during the holidays. But this year, they need your help more than ever. In the past organizers with Operation Santa have collected toys and gift cards for about 50 families each season. This year, they have 64 families signed up to receive presents and they need more donations to help those families. Administrative Assistant Cindy Hayes says, " It's been the economy, we knew it was going to happen someday." Hayes says they accept toys for infants to 10 years old, but currently the demand is higher for children between 8 and 10. You can still help by donating an unwrapped toy or gift card at the Gulfport Police Department between 8am and 4:30pm …

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