Volunteer shortage threatens meal program

SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Senior Center is in need of several delivery drivers if it hopes to keep its popular meals program afloat.

The center, which delivers as many as 2,000 meals per month to area seniors, recently lost several of its volunteers and needs at least four replacements to keep up with demand.

After losing one driver to an out-of-town move and others for personal  reasons, the center has been using a paid, temporary driver, which it can no longer afford.

The center delivers meals Tuesday through Friday, and volunteers would be expected to work from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as little as one day per week. A clean driving record is required for insurance purposes, and if a volunteer wants to drive their own vehicle, the center is willing to reimburse for mileage.

Norma White, the center’s director, said drivers are important for several reasons, chief among them being that they act as gatekeepers for the safety of the seniors, many of whom have little person-to-person contact outside of the meals program.

“The way I look at it is do you have time to give back to your community one day a week for two to three hours, maximum?” White said. “We’re just looking for people that care. They’re doing it because they care about our senior citizens that are alone and can’t cook for themselves anymore.”

Anyone interested in volunteering for the program is encouraged to contact White at 263-6860, or visit the center at 820 W. Main St.