Denver Meals On Wheels Delivering 1K More Meals Per Month Compared To 2019

According to a spokesperson for Volunteers of America, Meals on Wheels is serving 1,000 more meals a month in Metro Denver compared to this time last year.

Meals on Wheels is a federally funded grant program that addresses senior hunger and isolation by delivering meals to people over 60.

Vanessa Clark told 9NEWS that the federally funded program is on track to deliver more meals in 2020 than over the previous 10 years.

Prior to the pandemic, 9NEWS reports that an estimated one in seven Coloradans were experiencing food insecurity. According to Clark, the Food Bank of the Rockies believe that number could now be one in three.

With Colorado's food insecurity on the rise, Clark says the program has seen a wave of younger Coloradans volunteering.

"A much younger demographic really raised their hand and said they will take on Meals on Wheels route to help a vulnerable senior in their area," Clark told 9NEWS. "The Colorado community is really incredible."

Clark estimates the program received over 1,000 volunteer inquiries when the pandemic first began in the U.S.

Volunteers must be screened and sanitize shared vehicles when they arrive to pick up meals.

Clark said with the rise of volunteers Meals on Wheels is able to meet the increasing needs of the Colorado community and will continue to do so.

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