The Meals on Wheels program in Hunter River has received support from the province's Community Development Fund.
The fund is administered by the Community Development Bureau. It's comprised of ministers from four departments - Health and Social Services, Technology and Environment, Development and Education. It supports projects identified by communities as being important to their continued growth and sustainability.
"The community of Hunter River recognized the importance of a service such as this one to the community as a whole, "said Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover. " Sometimes, making a community more sustainable simply means making it a better place to live for all citizens."
Hunter River is the smallest community on the Island to offer a Meals on Wheels program. Meals are served within the community itself - but the program also offers meals to seniors in rural areas around the community. People in rural areas often cannot access Meals on Wheels. The program in Hunter River addresses that concern.
The program presently serves 30 clients. Meals are prepared at the Rosewood Residence in Hunter River and are delivered by volunteers. The Hunter River program is one of only two in the province where the meals are prepared outside a government owned facility.
"The Hunter River Meals on Wheels program provides an important service for seniors in the area, but it also serves to unite the community around an effort to make life better for seniors in the area," said Minister Dover. "It shows that just a small contribution from government can go a long way toward helping a community help itself."
The Hunter River Meals on Wheels program received $1,840 from the Community Development Fund. A cheque was presented to the community by Minister Dover on behalf of the Community Development Bureau at a ceremony on February 23, 2000.