Meals on Wheels seeking drivers

PORTALES — An opportunity to build relationships and the feeling of helping others were just two of the reasons to volunteer given by Meals on Wheels Driver Coordinator Cora Stroud.

According to Stroud, the organization, which delivers meals to elderly and disabled community members, is in need of drivers to complete meal routes.

Drivers can volunteer on behalf of themselves or an organization such as a church, she said, adding that organizations with volunteers include the local Altrusa and Kiwanis clubs.

Volunteering allows a person to come out of themselves to help another, Stroud said, while also serving as an impressive addition to any resume.

"It's a happy feeling of being of service to somebody else. It is also good on people who are searching jobs," she said. "Students could volunteer. It's good on their resume. There's some people that don't belong to organizations, but they're welcome to volunteer."

Route Coordinator Loretta Connley delivers meals on top of her administrative duties with Meals on Wheels, and said that the service she provides is one she hopes she will one day receive.

"They need it. Somebody's gotta do it. I hope when I get where I need it, somebody will step up and do it too," said Connley, adding that, in her time as a volunteer, she has developed many relationships with meal recipients.

"There's a need, and I enjoy the people, too. They're always nice. Some of them, they may not see anybody else that day," she said.

"It provides a big service, and it contacts you with someone that you can make friends with," Stroud added.

Individuals or organizations interested in volunteering for a meal route can call Stroud at 575-359-1483.