Extract from ABC News
Retired teachers Sam and Glenda Carroll get a hot lunch delivered by Meals on Wheels in Ipswich most days. (ABC News: Charlie McLean)
The sweet and sour pork is steaming and ready to be portioned out.
Kitchen supervisor Shay Mitchell has been on the tools since 4:30am getting the food prepared.
He leads a team of staff and volunteers who are well-versed in what to do.
Each staff member has a role at Meals on Wheels in Ipswich to make sure the operation runs smoothly. (ABC News: Jessica van Vonderen)
One scoops up the rice, another the carrots, then the peas and corn.
"Yeah, it works like clockwork," Mr Mitchell said.
"The same things happen in the same order every day."
Brodie Logan volunteers once a week with Meals on Wheels in Ipswich. (ABC News: Jessica van Vonderen)
There's much to do. Ipswich Meals on Wheels is 70 years old, but age has not slowed this operation.
On average, they do 100 hot meals a day, plus desserts, sandwiches and salads.
"I like knowing that the work that I do helps others," Mr Mitchell said.
"That's why I'm still here. It's rewarding work."
Meals on Wheels has been serving in Queensland since 1956. (Supplied: Meals on Wheels)
The early days
Ipswich Meals on Wheels started in 1956, taking inspiration from a similar service in England.
It began in a backyard gardener's cottage, with meals served in a thermos flask and pudding basin for two shillings each.
Meals on Wheels began in Queensland in 1956. (Supplied: Meals on Wheels)
Fast-forward seven decades and the service is now in 140 locations across Queensland, offering low-cost meals to nearly 24,000 customers.
There are about 6,300 volunteers, but they always need more.
'The heart of our business'
Bec Dakin is the general manager of Ipswich Meals on Wheels.
It's in her blood. Four generations of her family have volunteered with the organisation — her grandfather, her mother, and now her two teenage kids, Oscar and Georgia, also pitch in.
Bec Dakin’s mum and grandfather were involved with Meals on Wheels and now her kids Oscar, 18, and Georgia, 16, also volunteer. (ABC News: Jessica Van Vonderen)
"It's helping the community. I feel like she taught me that at a very young age and it's still something I value," Oscar said.
"(Volunteers) are literally the heart of our business," Ms Dakin said.
"We are always indebted to them."
Former railway man Dennis Ellis offers his time and car as one of the regular delivery drivers.
Dennis Ellis is a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels in Ipswich. (ABC News: Charlie McLean)
It's the friendships that keep him coming back.
"It's being able to really talk to some of the people we deliver meals to," Mr Ellis said.
"You do get very close to some of these people.
"Some ladies say, 'can you go and post this mail for me and while you're doing that would you mind picking up a bottle of milk?'
"I really enjoy it and I'll keep doing it as long as I can."
Meals on Wheels in Ipswich is celebrating its 70th birthday. (ABC News: Charlie McLean)
Care and connection
They do it for people like Sam and Glenda Carroll.
The retired school teachers get a hot lunch delivered most days.
"We've probably been [customers] for about four years now," Mr Carroll said.
"The way we got involved ... is that I broke my jaw and I needed pureed food.
"We get a regular meal at lunch time, so it's very nice."
Bec Dakin is hopeful Meal on Wheels will receive government support to cover the extra fuel costs. (ABC News: Charlie McLean)
Ms Dakin said every meal comes with a welfare check and a conversation.
"It's really about care and connection and we just happen to deliver meals," she said.
But like many others, the organisation has been under pressure recently.
"The fuel prices have gone up so much that there are some of our volunteers now that have been seeking some reimbursement, which we do offer them," says Ms Dakin.
"At this point in time, we haven't increased our prices for our clients.
"We are hoping we might get some extra funding from the government shortly to cover the extra costs for fuel.
"That's just wait and see."
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