While we all are dealing with the impact of Covid-19, the need in our communities is great. To help address this need, The Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions (DCHS) is working with VNA Meals on Wheels to implement a new “virtual delivery” volunteer event. 

As long-term partners, DCHS and VNA Meals on Wheels continue their mission to provide food and social connection to isolated, home-bound seniors in Dallas County. VNA continues to serve clients one hot meal along with shelf stable meals weekly. However, dedicated volunteers are needed to participate in a “virtual delivery” program using the VNA Meals on Wheels Mobile App.

YOU are invited to join DCHS by participating in this “virtual delivery” program! Volunteers will reach out to vulnerable seniors by phone to report various needs including current living conditions, overall health status and food needs—and provide much-needed human connection. The information collected by volunteers will automatically be forwarded to VNA staff so urgent needs can be addressed. The calls are made on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and take about 45 minutes . Volunteers only need to pick one of the three days and will make 10-20 calls from their smart phone.

This is how the "virtual delivery" works:

Visit the Meals on Wheels portal link HERE and click the “volunteer” tab at the top of the page. Complete the application and create an account with an email address and password. VNA Meals on Wheels will perform a background check. Results of the check may take 5-10 days. You’ll also complete online training within the portal.

• Once the volunteer application and background check are approved, volunteers will need to download the VNA Meals on Wheels mobile app on their smart phone (free on the App Store and Google Play).
• Volunteers will be provided a “route” list of client namesand phone numbers to call. The mobile app will also provide a list of questions to ask. See detailed INSTRUCTIONS and a suggested SCRIPT to guide volunteers.
• On your chosen day for the virtual call (M, T or W), all volunteers will log in (using the same email and password created on the volunteer application and account) to the mobile app at10:30 AM.
• Calls need to be completed by 1:30 PM, so VNA staff have time to follow up on any urgent client issues.
• Once calls have been completed, log out of the mobile app. To protect clients, all client information will disappear from the mobile app after 2:00 pm each day.