Clients
Must I be home at the time of meal delivery?
Per Virginia state policy, meals may not be left unattended outside the home of clients whose service is subsidized with state funds.
Meals may be left outside the homes of clients whose service is not state-subsidized when a sturdy insulated container (such as a cooler) is provided by the client for that purpose.
How do I stop delivery when I know I won’t be home?
Current clients may temporarily suspend, reinstate, or cancel service by calling 703-522-0811. If possible, we prefer 48 hours in advance notice.
When volunteers deliver food, do they have time to visit with each client?
While it is vitally important for our clients to have contact with a driver during deliveries, it is not possible to spend more time than it takes to drop off the food and give a warm greeting. This is because there are 10 to 12 clients on each route and we do not want to delay delivery to any one of them. Even though contact is brief, a driver can quickly assess a client’s general well-being. As many of our clients do not see other people often, and our delivery, though short, is a bright spot in their day!
Where can I find information on additional programs for older adults in Arlington?
For information on additional programs for older adults in Arlington, contact the Arlington Agency on Aging at https://aging-disability.arlingtonva.us; calling 703-228-1700; or email at arlaa@arlingtonva.us
Volunteers
How do I apply to be a volunteer?
Just email our volunteer coordinator at volunteercoordinator@mealsonwheelsarlington.com and they will get back in touch with you.
What is expected of a volunteer?
The bulk of our volunteers are drivers! A volunteer driver must have a valid driver’s license and a car that has been inspected and is insured. Drivers meet up at the church parking lot in Ballston where each car is loaded with 4 to 7 large coolers which contain a week’s worth of food for the client. The driver then drives an assigned route to deliver the meals (which are transferred from coolers to paper bags by the drivers) to 3-7 clients. Upon completion of the route, the driver must return to the church parking lot to unload the empty cooler, return the route book, and report any problems to the dispatcher.
Are volunteers trained?
The primary training is conducted when a new volunteer drives along with an experienced driver to get a feel for what is expected when the volunteer takes on their own route.
Is there a minimum number of times a month a volunteer must drive?
It is our preference that a volunteer commit to drive twice a month, on Wednesdays, as that is the day the weekly allotment of meals is delivered to the majority of our clients. However, we are willing to work with a volunteer who wishes to drive less than that.
What if I am a volunteer and I am going on vacation or need time off for other reasons?
MOW understands that everyone needs time off for vacation, personal needs, or work-related reasons from time to time. When this occurs, we ask that you give the volunteer coordinator as much notice as possible so that they can find a replacement for your route.
When do deliveries occur?
MOW has approximately 30 routes, and all but two routes are delivered on Wednesdays. The other two routes are daily. Drivers should arrive at the church parking lot at 10:30am. Generally, all routes are completed by 12:30pm.
Can I bring family or friends on my delivery runs with me?
A number of our routes are handled by two people, thus there is a driver and someone who assists the driver on the route. Having a second person in the car can be very helpful if there are parking or access problems. It is acceptable for you to bring a friend or family member along on a drive. However, keep in mind that there is rarely any room left in the vehicle (other than the driver and passenger seats) after it has been loaded.
My work group is interested in volunteering, is this possible?
A number of church, work, and service organizations have taken responsibility for one of our routes and provide volunteers to drive every Wednesday. This arrangement can be worked out with the volunteer coordinator.
I don’t drive are there any other opportunities to volunteer at MOW?
Yes, we have a small crew of volunteers who load and unload the cars for our drivers and you can volunteer for that position as well.
Where can I find Meals on Wheels Arlington’s Privacy Policy?
You can find our organization’s policy by clicking on the button below!
Meals on Wheels of Arlington, Virginia 