More than a meal, it’s a moment of connection

Published on 16 January 2026

On the Mornington Peninsula, Meals on Wheels is doing far more than delivering lunch. It’s delivering connection, routine and sometimes the only friendly face someone sees that day.

For long-time volunteer couple Geoff and Kay, volunteering wasn’t just about giving back, it was about doing something together. “It’s something we could do as a couple and develop a few relationships as we go,” they say. Four years on, those relationships are what keep them coming back.

Every delivery comes with a chat, a laugh and a genuine check-in. Some clients are waiting at the door. Others leave a basket and listen for the car to pull away. One client barely opens the door, but when the volunteers were away for a few weeks, she surprised them by asking, “Where have you been?” A small moment that meant everything.

For the recipient, the impact goes well beyond the food. “It’s the contact with the volunteers,” John says. “They’re friendly, they’re helpful, and it’s our contact with the outside world.” As his wife’s carer, those visits matter even more, with Geoff and Kay always checking in, asking how she’s going and whether there’s anything they can do

Meals on Wheels has been part of our community for more than 50 years, supporting older residents to stay nourished, connected and independent at home. And behind every meal is a volunteer making time for a conversation, a joke about footy, or simply showing up when it matters.

Learn more about Meals on Wheels and volunteering.

Watch the video to hear directly from the volunteers and recipients who show why Meals on Wheels has always been more than just a meal.