Food & Friends is a senior meal program designed to support independent living. Balanced nutrition and social contact on a frequent basis are key to maintaining good health, and necessary for living independently at home. In many cases volunteers are the only people our seniors see on any given day. We serve more than a meal; we provide vital social contact and a safety net.
Drivers use their own vehicles.
Mileage reimbursement is available and donations are tax deductible.
Meals are picked up at a central location.
Training is provided.
Volunteers complete a criminal background check.
Volunteers pack meals for delivery and serve seniors who come to the site.
Meal site volunteers complete a criminal background check.
A Food Handler’s permit is required.
Online testing available at ORFoodHandlers.com.
Our volunteers are important to us and we ensure they are prepared for a positive experience. Meal Site volunteers are trained at the meal site and are asked to complete the Food Handlers exam. Home delivery volunteers ride along with experienced drivers to learn the routes, how to serve meals, and socialize with meal participants. There is also an orientation.
Food & Friends also utilizes “Maximizing Brief Encounters” training. This award winning training was developed by Sharon Johnson of the Oregon State University Extension Service who is a long-time Food & Friends volunteer. Our first workshop centers on communicating effectively with aging persons. Other topics to be offered at a later date include understanding food borne illness, understanding age-related memory loss, and recognizing medication problems.
Please call Food & Friends Volunteer Coordinator in your county with questions or to set up an appointment. We will be happy to discuss the various ways you can volunteer to help our senior neighbors.
Jackson County at 541-734-9505 x2
Josephine County at 541-955-8839
You may complete a Volunteer Application in advance to save time. Please email completed application to the following:
Jackson County: kzentgraf@rvcog.org / Josephine County: kdellsite@rvcog.org
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