‘Meals At Home’ launches for elderly community in Penrith

The Salvation Army launches ‘Meals At Home’ for vulnerable elderly community in Penrith.

A new initiative in response to the coronavirus pandemic to support the vulnerable, elderly members of the local community has been launched by The Salvation Army Penrith.

Located on Hunters Lane, the church has launched a new meals on wheels initiative titled ‘Meals At Home’ for the elderly community that are struggling during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

To date over 100 meals have been cooked and delivered since the initiative’s conception, which take the form of either a three course meal or a picnic style tea, and each recipient also gets a friendly wave and listening ear if they feel they need some social interaction, whilst adhering to current Government guidelines on social distancing.

Major Carole Donaldson, joint leader of The Salvation Army in Penrith said: “We became aware quickly that our ministry in Penrith could not continue as it was with the social distancing measures that the Government put into place and so we embraced the chance to work beyond our expectations to serve the community.

“A number of local older people asked us the devastating question; ‘what will happen to us now, how will we get a hot meal?’ and so we assured them that we would help and ‘Meals at Home’ was born.

The Meals At Home initiative is a free service with no cash exchanged to ensure health and safety is paramount although donations to the church can be accepted at a later date.