Aspirus home delivered meals needs volunteers

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) – The Aspirus Home Delivered Meals program is still looking for volunteers to help deliver hot meals to people in the area who can’t prepare meals for themselves. Volunteer Coordinator Annmarie Ott says they deliver between 50-60 meals daily Monday through Friday. Each volunteer can commit to as much or as little as they have time for.

”It’s just a really awesome opportunity to be at service,” says Ott. “It’s about an hour and a half, maybe two hours max, depending on the route you have and where it’s located.”

She says the meal deliveries are uplifting for both the client and the volunteers.

“The people receiving the meals are generally just so, so receptive to the visit. The interaction, you know, the fact that they have this hot meal and it’s just very rewarding.”

Ott says the meals are ready to be eaten right away or saved to be reheated later.

”They’re delivered with a kind of a TV dinner style, a microwave dinner style kind of container that’s sealed while the meal is hot,” explains Ott. “They have the opportunity to just eat it hot right away, or they can re microwave it later.”

Wellness checks

Volunteers can also let hospital staff know if a client needs additional help.

“The other beauty of the program is that some of these folks that are elderly and live alone, it’s also an opportunity for a wellness check because sometimes we’ve had situations where a client, when our driver got there, (the client) had fallen and so we were able to call emergency services for them and get them the help they needed,” said Ott.

Ott explained these volunteer delivery drivers are sometimes the only person checking in on clients daily. They receive training on what to do if they find someone in need of medical help.

“ Not providing the medical care, but getting the medical care there for them,” says Ott.

If you’re looking to give back in 2026, Ott says volunteering to deliver home meals is a rewarding way to help in the community. You can contact Annmarie Ott at 715-421-7963.