## Volunteers and Paid Drivers Needed for Trumbull Mobile Meals## Volunteers and Paid Drivers Needed for Trumbull Mobile Meals Trumbull Mobile Meals (TMM) urgently requires volunteers and paid drivers to deliver meals to a growing number of elderly and homebound residents in need. ### Increased Demand for Home-Delivered Meals TMM has witnessed a significant increase in its customer base, with over 300 individuals currently receiving home-delivered meals. This number is projected to reach nearly 400 by the end of the year. ### Challenges in Finding Drivers Despite the high demand, TMM currently has only 30 “loyal drivers” who deliver meals daily. The organization urgently needs an additional five to ten drivers to meet the rising need. ### Driver Responsibilities and Benefits * Arrive at TMM around 11 a.m. Monday through Friday * Load meals into their vehicles and deliver them by 1:30 p.m. * Average of 10 stops per driver * Use their own vehicles with mileage reimbursement * Volunteer drivers and paid drivers with longer routes using TMM shuttle buses are available ### Importance of Drivers to Recipients For many recipients, the delivery driver is the only person they see and speak to each day. They provide not only sustenance but also vital social interaction. ### How to Become a Driver Interested individuals can visit 323 E. Market St. in Warren to receive an application form. Background checks, proof of insurance, and a driver’s license are required. ### Expansion of TMM Building TMM plans to expand its building by this year and complete the project by 2025. The expansion will include: * An expanded kitchen to meet the growing customer base * A four-bay garage for TMM vans * A paved parking lot ### Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers are needed in every department of TMM, including packing meals. The organization anticipates an ongoing need for volunteers as it continues to grow.
Warren resident Wilbert Collins has been delivering meals for Trumbull Mobile Meals for 10 years. Volunteers and paid drivers are needed to deliver meals Monday through Friday.
WARREN – As the need for home-delivered meals increases, Trumbull Mobile Meals faces the challenge of getting drivers to deliver those meals.
According to TMM officials, the organization delivers meals to more than 300 people in the region and that number is expected to rise to nearly 400 this year.
TMM CEO Audrey Novotny said since she started last year, the customer base has increased significantly for those in need of meals.
She said many elderly residents and housebound people are unable to get food or afford meals due to higher food prices.
TMM currently has 30 “loyal drivers” daily, but could use five to ten more.
Drivers arrive at TMM in Warren around 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and remain in their cars while meals are placed in their vehicle, which can be completed in an hour depending on the route. Meals, including hot and cold meals, must be delivered no later than 1:30 p.m. A driver has an average of about 10 stops.
Novotny said drivers use their own vehicles and are reimbursed for mileage.
TMM is looking for volunteer drivers, as well as paid drivers who have longer delivery routes that take three to four hours and use TMM shuttle buses.
“We have routes in Niles and Cortland. They’re high priority routes. We just keep growing. We had two paid drivers and now we have five,” Novotny said.
She said drivers can choose their own routes and the days they are available, adding that many drivers are retired or working, so they can take a lunch break and deliver.
“We have a lot of brokers and people from Ulitium Cells,” said Novotny.
She said for many people who receive food, the driver is the only person they see and speak to that day.
“We are the only human contact they see all day. They may not have relatives nearby.” Novotny said.
Volunteers can stop at 323 E. Market St. and receive an application form. Background checks are performed. Drivers must show proof of insurance and a driver’s license.
Wilbert Collins of Warren works in the kitchen preparing food and also delivers meals to eight stops in different parts of the county.
“I like seeing people and checking on them to see if everything is okay,” he said. “They look forward to the meals and to talking to me. I have gotten to know people.”
He has been a volunteer for the past ten years.
Laquisha Beaver, food service manager at TMM, said many people are happy with the deliveries and seeing someone that day.
“During the holidays, many people may be alone and enjoy seeing our drivers. We have a handful of clients who have no family,” she said.
According to Beaver, the cost of food and gas impacts many families.
EXPANSION OF THE BUILDING
Novotny said the expansion project on the west side of the building will begin this year and be completed in 2025.
She said they are currently looking for a project architect and developers.
“We are going to expand the entire building and build a four-bay garage for our vans,” she said. “The kitchen is being expanded because we are expanding our customer base.”
Last year, TMM was donated an L-shaped plot of land on the west side of the building, where the extension will be built.
This year the parking lot will be paved.
She said volunteers are needed for every department, including packing the meals.
“As we continue to grow, we will always need them,” Novotny said.
Do you have an interesting story? Contact Bob Coupland by email at [email protected]. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @TribToday.
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