WIMMERA councils have seen an increase in demand for Meals on Wheels amid the COVID-19 lock-down.
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The meal delivery service, normally volunteer-run, has been taken over by two re-purposed council staff members to provide between one and five meals weekly to about 40 regular clients.
The changes come as the national organisation welcomed a federal government funding package of $59.3 million.
Meals on Wheels Australia said the organisation faced "sharp increases in demand" from metropolitan and regional communities hit hard by social restrictions and the economic fall-out from the pandemic.
Horsham Rural City Council community wellbeing director Kevin O'Brien said while there had been an increase in demand, it was not significant at this stage.
"It is expected that there will be an increase in demand as a result of government measures and those required to go into self-isolation," he said.
Mr O'Brien said the council would apply for additional money to cover meals delivery and staff costs as demand was likely to increase.
In Ararat Rural City, council chief executive Tim Harrison said there had been a jump in demand for Meals on Wheels with an extra 14 clients in the past two weeks alone.
Dr Harrison said the council provided Meals on Wheels for 34 residents five days a week, with some residents receiving five hot meals and two cold "extra meals" on Friday for at the weekend.
A typical Meals on Wheels meal consists of soup, a hot dish such as casserole and vegetables, dessert and fruit juice.
"A few of our clients have extended their service to include meals on more days due to them being at home all the time," Dr Harrison said.
"We also had an increase to our Meals on Wheels numbers two weeks ago with an extra 14 clients who usually attend the day centre at East Grampians Health Service, where they have a meal."
Dr Harrison said council staff would deliver Meals on Wheels at the moment to give volunteers a break during this time and to maintain their safety.
Northern Grampians mayor Murray Emerson said the council had seen a "very slight increase" in demand, but it was not disproportionate to regular variations and it was prepared.
He said there were about 50 clients who receive meals daily in the municipality.
"With the increase in funding available, we have the capacity to expand the service if there is a need for it," Cr Emerson said.
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