April 17, 2023 3:00 a.m.

The Friendly Kitchen/Meals on Wheels of Roseburg is experiencing a drastic decline in delivery drivers and kitchen volunteers.

Volunteer coordinator Casey Buller said this is directly impacting their ability to provide meals to vulnerable, homebound seniors and disabled adults in Roseburg. Buller said approximately 1,200 meals per week were delivered by volunteer drivers in March and meal recipient requests continued to increase on a weekly basis.

The Friendly Kitchen/Meals on Wheels of Roseburg is a non-profit agency that has been providing USDA certified and professional nutritionist approved meals since 1973. Homebound seniors 60 years or older and homebound, disabled adults living within the Roseburg city limits qualify to receive the meal service.

Buller said that “Increasing meal requests, partnered with a decline in volunteers, will create a situation where new, qualified recipients will need to be put on a waiting list before we can start providing them with much needed meals”.

Currently, the agency is looking for drivers, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. Kitchen volunteers are also needed. Both permanent and substitute positions are available. They are located at the Umpqua Community College campus kitchen.

To volunteer, call 440-7870 or apply at www.friendlykitchen.org.