Australian Red Cross celebrates 64 Years of Delivered Meals in Launceston

Today, Australian Red Cross is celebrating a milestone of 64 years of the Delivered Meals program to the residents of Launceston.

Delivered Meals provide nutritious meals and social contact to older people or people with a disability across Northern and Northwest Tasmania. This year marks its sixty-fourth continuous year of service in Launceston.

The program works to support greater independence for older Tasmanians and people with a disability. Running every weekday throughout Northen and Northwest Tasmania, it has supplied approximately three million meals to people in need, with demand for the service only growing.

Ahead of the anniversary, Australian Red Cross State Director for Tasmania Julie Groome said celebrating this monumental milestone in Launceston is a proud moment for the team.

“This service has been an invaluable lifeline for thousands of local residents, providing comfort beyond just food and drink. Delivered Wheels is an opportunity for social connection, which is sometimes lacking for the community this program serves,” Ms Groome said.

“As we mark sixty-four years in Launceston, I’d like to acknowledge the many volunteers, both past and present, who have supported Delivered Meals. Whether it’s packaging up the meals, organising the delivery or our dedicated drivers who go out into the community, without them, none of this would be possible.

“Delivered Meals isn’t the only service we provide for the local community. We also run a Transport Program across Tasmania that supports hundreds of older people and people with disability to attend medical and social outings, so they too can continue to age well beyond their home and remain engaged in our community”.

Tasmania faces unique challenges with its large and growing older population, Australian Red Cross is always looking to welcome more volunteers to help support those who need us. To find out more about getting involved, visit our Volunteer opportunities.

For media enquiries, please contact media@redcross.org.au or Sophia Pellatt on spellatt@redcross.org.au or 0477 667 875.