Volunteer Delivery Guidelines

Job Description

Volunteers use their own vehicles to deliver hot meals to homebound individuals from an average time 10:30am to 12:30pm on an assigned delivery route. You may work a scheduled day or on a substitute basis.

Responsibilities

1. BE DEPENDABLE AND PUNCTUAL FOR YOUR SCHEDULED DELIVERY DAY
   
   
   • If you cannot deliver, please call your Route Chairman or the CMOW office at 704-932-3412. You may leave a message if staff is not available, or it is after business hours.
   • If possible, give the staff a 2-hour notice. 
     
     
2. ARRIVE AT CABARRUS MEALS ON WHEELS SITE BY 10:30 A.M.
   
   
   • Sign in; pick up the route sheets, tray, and coolers.
   • Frozen Meals (WAAM) – If a client on your route receives Frozen Meals
   • It will say 2 Frozen Meals beside the client’s name.
   • It will have a label with the client’s name.
   • Always review route sheets for changes.
   • If there is not (1-Lunch 1hot & 1 Cold tray) beside the client’s name – They are not eating.
     
     
3. DELIVER PROCEDURES
   
   
   • Knock, identify yourself, and follow instructions in the route book for each client.
   • Deliver a Hot and Cold tray and Milk according to directions.
   • If there is juice in the cold cooler – Every client receives both Milk and Juice on those days.
   • Chopped Meals – hot tray and cold tray will be marked chopped.
   • Pureed Meals – hot tray and cold tray will be marked pureed.
   • Test Meals – You may have a test Meal in your cooler – Bring back to the office.
     1. The kitchen must test meals to make sure they stay hot throughout the route.
   • Check those clients that you served a hot meal to in “Delivered” square. If there was a client that wasn’t home, check the “Not Delivered” square and give out their meal to another client on your route.
     
     
4. REPORT UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES TO CMOW AT 704-932-3412
   
   
   • If client does not come to door. Call the clients number beside their name. Remember many clients are hard of hearing and often slow getting to the door. If you do not get an answer by phone, immediately call the CMOW office and we will notify the family.
   • If there is a cooler you can leave the meal – only if there is an ice pack in the cooler.
   • Place yellow door hanger on doorknob (located in the plastic sheet with the directions that get you back to office).
   • Give extra meal to another client.
     
     
5. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
   
   Volunteers are not expected to provide medical care or intervene in emergencies beyond their training and ability. However, volunteers are required to act responsibly if they encounter a situation where a client’s health, safety, or life appears to be at immediate risk. If in doubt—call 9-1-1.
   
   
   • Ensure Safety First – Do not put yourself in danger. Call from a safe location if needed.
   • Call 9-1-1 Immediately – Provide the address, describe the situation, and follow dispatcher instructions.
   • Stay With the Client if Safe – Remain calm, reassure the client, and wait for emergency personnel if your safety is not at risk.
   • Notify Cabarrus Meals on Wheels Office – As soon as practical after calling 9-1-1, contact the CMOW office at 704.932.3412 to report the situation.
   • Document the Incident – Complete an incident report form as instructed by staff. 
     
     
6. RETURN EMPTY COOLERS
   • If you bring your own coolers, you will need to have ice packs and heating pads for coolers.
   • If you return back to office, make sure that all ice packs and heating pads are in the coolers, and sheets and trays are put back on the table.