Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland is dedicated to assist homebound people remain in their homes.

Now, the non-profit organization needs your help, especially in the Essex/Middle River area.

Liz Galea, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland's volunteer recruitment specialist, said she has 23 clients in Essex and 14 more in Bowleys Quarters with another 15 in the area looking to add their service, which provides two meals a day Monday—Friday to those who can't get out of the house.

However, Galea said there is a shortage of volunteers available to deliver the meals.

"Most of our clients are older and many of our volunteers are in their 80s themselves," Galea said. "They just can't handle routes as large as they are right now."

Galea said an ideal route contains between 10 and 14 clients and should take no more than an hour to complete. Her goal is to divide the Essex route in half and add another route in Bowleys Quarters.

However, meals are delivered between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., which she admits can make it difficult for younger, working people to volunteer as driver and/or delivery person. That is why she is reaching out to area businesses, high schools and colleges and even the Boys Scouts and Girls Scouts for assistance.

"Many of these routes can be done during a businesses lunch hour and they could rotate employees for the task which would be great positive exposure for those businesses while not relying on just one person," Galea said. "Scout troops and students could do it on their days off or in the summer and it would go toward their service hours."

Galea said volunteering for Meals on Wheals is not very time consuming and can be much more rewarding than just delivering a meal. The organization also assists with grocery shopping, provides phone pals and other support services to help their clients maintain independence and peace of mind. She is also exploring the possibility of partnering younger people with older clients as "grand friends" which would be similar to the Big Brothers program.

"Interacting with others means so much to many of our clients," Galea said. "The meals are just a part of what we offer. Also, our clients have a lot to offer and could provide guidance through their life experiences to younger people in need of that."

Galea said those interested in volunteering must go through a background check. Also, Meals on Wheels also offers potential volunteers the chance to shadow current ones to see if it is right for them.

Here are the Meals on Wheels service locations in Essex/Middle River:

MIDDLE RIVER

St. Matthews Lutheran Church

Red Rose Farm Road

Baltimore, MD  21220

ESSEX

Church of the Trinity

1131 Mace Avenue

Baltimore, MD  21221

Those interested in volunteering can contact Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland at  (443) 573-0925 or email at volunteer@mowcm.org.