This story was submitted as part of FRRR’s 25th birthday celebrations.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you. It is always difficult to fundraise, and then on top of that to apply for grants. Not only in time taken, but in the aspect of rejection – or rather rejections. So, thank you for taking an interest in country affairs and helping those you can.”

Jakob Gamertsfelder, Treasurer

“Morgan is a small country town of some 500 people. We have a group called Morgan Volunteer Support Group and we provide the Meals on Wheels SA service to Morgan and surrounding towns. The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal provided us with a grant of $10,000, which we used to buy a community car to replace our 22-year-old vehicle – built in September of 1998.

“Our replacement car has let us continue these last three years quite happily, delivering meals. We currently deliver eight meals every day, involving eight delivery drivers on rotating shifts. Also engaged are five cooks and supply workers, with admin workers being mainly down at Adelaide headquarters of Meals on Wheels SA. We delivered all through COVID, all through the high river of 2022-23 that inundated 2,500 homes in our Council area, and on every public holiday. We have a good relationship with community and in this last year we have helped three customers in distress, waiting with them while they sought medical attention. Our numbers are not large, but what we do counts.

“I also want to thank FRRR and Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation again for the further help they provided in the way of breakfast cereals and snack bars to Morgan Primary School. Every day Foodbank provides breakfasts for students who ask, which is about fifteen students. Kellogg’s did this not just once in 2022 but also in 2023. It was a splendid help. Thank you for helping not just us, but all of us.”

On Ngaiawang Country

The Morgan Volunteer Support Group is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers Meals on Wheels Monday to Friday including public holidays, for the Morgan, Cadell and Mount Mary areas in SA’s Riverland region. The Meals on Wheels service, which has run for more than 35 years, is invaluable for those requiring assistance to remain in their homes for as long as possible, as well as those who have problems such as a broken limb, drug rehab or failing eyesight, which diminish their ability to shop and cook. Additionally, Meals on Wheels delivery offers important social contact for people who use the service and may otherwise be socially isolated. This is of particular concern for those living in regional areas.

The Support Group has partnered with the local prison training program to cook the meals. This not only helps them gain skills for a future trade, but participants also gain satisfaction from helping the community.

In the past, the Morgan Meals on Wheels service used a car owned by Meals on Wheels SA. However, they wanted to sell the vehicle and instead have volunteers use their own cars. After some discussion, Meals on Wheels SA agreed to retain the vehicle for a further three years, to give the Morgan volunteers time to raise funds to acquire a vehicle of their own. Otherwise, the service would most likely cease.

This was also an opportunity to purchase a newer, more reliable, efficient and safe vehicle, as the car they were using was more than 10 years old. The Morgan Volunteer Support Group undertook a lot of local fundraising and secured a $10,000 grant through FRRR’s SRC program, thanks to the support of the Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation. With COVID causing supply-chain issues, demand for second-hand vehicles was high but after much searching, they purchased a second-hand Toyota Camry Ateva. It met most other requirements – most importantly room for hot boxes, baskets and eskies.

In addition to using it for Meals on Wheels delivery, the group is also seeking to expand their delivery services. They also have plans to make the vehicle available at other times to offer transport solutions to the community, raising additional funds for the Support Group, at the same time as offering a valuable service for those who can’t drive or don’t own a car.

The group is rightly proud of what they achieved, on time and on budget.

“We had help from many different groups – Waikerie Men’s Shed, Waikerie Woolworths, Morgan Friendly Grocer, Morgan Roadhouse, Morgan Home Hardware, Morgan Commercial Hotel, Morgan Cadell Golf Club and hundreds of individuals.

“The car has been operational since March 2022 and is working well. We have been delivering meals for Meals on Wheels and for Morgan Activity Centre. Current customers can be assured of an ongoing service,” said Jakob Gamertsfelder, Secretary / Treasurer of the Morgan Volunteer Support Group.

For more inspiring stories like this, head to our FY 2021/22 Annual Review.