Become a Bellingham Meals on Wheels Driver!

I have absolutely treasured being a substitute Meals on Wheels delivery driver.

I bring this up now because there is an urgent need for more substitute drivers.

To be a substitute means you have TOTAL flexibility.

Once you go through the short orientation and background check, you do a ride-along with another driver to learn the ropes, then you’re put on an email list.

On average I see an “Open Routes looking for subs” email about every 1 to 2 weeks, and I end up volunteering about once a month.(Plus I’ve also gotten into volunteering in the lunch cafeteria once a month too, which is also insanely rewarding.)If you’re free to cover a route, you just reply to that email and you’re in.

If you're not free, drop a courtesy "I'm not free" email, and everyone loves you.

The routes take from as little as 90 minutes to as much as 4 hours, and you can choose the geographic area you’re delivering in.

I personally have enjoyed visiting different parts of the county on various delivery routes.

Here’s the thing:

You are literally bringing sustenance to people who have lost the ability to get it for themselves.

Is there anything more primal, or rewarding?Imagine the gratitude, and the humility.

Which, mind you, you get to experience from the comfort of your own car, listening to your own music or podcast between stops, while touring part of a County that 99% of the world would consider the most beautiful place they've ever seen.

If you want to check it out, you can do a ride-along with me on a near-future route.

Or just go and check things out and ask your questions at the Senior Activity Center.

If you're feeling the call, email the Meals on Wheels and Senior Activity Center volunteer coordinator Teddi Anshus.

She is AWESOME!And YOU are AWESOME!

What's your volunteer story?

Are you a current or past volunteer at something that fully infiltrated your heart and changed how you see the world?

Even better, was it local?

Share it with me, please!

I want to keep exploring the world of volunteering as my schedule allows - and there are always gaps in my schedule, one way or another.

I challenge you to volunteer for Meals on Wheels, as a sub.

Is an hour and a half to 3 or 4 hours, once a month... heck, once a YEAR.... going to change your life?

I would argue that it likely will, and I mean for the better.

It certainly did mine.

Cheers!