Meals On Wheels Seeks Westchase Volunteers

As the summer heats up, nonprofit organizations often face a brain drain of volunteers. Groups like Meals on Wheels are hoping the community will step up to help solve their seasonal shortage problem.

Volunteers deliver to 66 routes per day, which equals about 730 people, according to Andrea Brogen, director of community relations. Of the 66 routes, up to 15 are unfilled per day, Brogen said.

Volunteers are needed for open routes each day in Town 'N Country, Forest Hills and East Tampa. Routes pickup around 10 a.m. and take an hour to deliver, Brogen said. Each route has 12 stops, and is about 12 miles long.

There are 13 pick-up sites across Tampa, from County Line Road to Gandy to Westchase, Brogen said.

"If it were not for the volunteers at MOW Tampa, these recipients would not have food to eat because they are unable to get to the store to buy groceries for themselves or a restaurant to buy a meal," Brogen said. "The volunteer is often the only person they see all day, and a smile goes a long way to make their day better."

For more information, call 813-238-8410 or visit www.mowtampa.org.