Weld County is changing quickly, and the neighbors we serve are part of that change. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of Weld County residents aged 65 and older grew by 75%, according to United Way of Weld County’s Aging Well initiative. The county as a whole has been Colorado’s fastest=growing county since around 2015. More people are choosing to age in the homes and towns they love, and many of them will need some help to do that safely.
At Meals on Wheels of Greeley and Weld County, that growth shows up in very practical ways: more meals to prepare, more miles to cover, and more doors to knock on. Volunteers are the reason those meals arrive hot and on time, and right now we need more of them.
What a Growing Aging Population Means for Weld County
A 75% increase in ten years is a major shift for any community. It means more aging adults living alone, more people recovering at home after a hospital stay, and more families trying to support a parent from across town or across the country. United Way of Weld County expects the local need for home-delivered meals, transportation, and personal care services to keep rising.
Getting to the grocery store isn’t simple for everyone, either. A 2018 Weld County survey found that 25% of older adults had trouble accessing safe and affordable transportation. When driving becomes difficult, a hot meal delivered ot the door can make the difference between eating well and skipping meals. Weld County’s Area Agency on Aging works with local partners like us to help aging adults stay healthy and independent at home.
Our work has always been about more than food. Every delivery includes a friendly visit and a wellness check, which may be the only face-to-face conversation a homebound adult has that day. When a volunteer notices that something seems off, we can follow up quickly. You can read more about that role in our recent blog post on how home safety protects independence for aging adults.
Our Current Volunteer Openings
We currently have two important roles open. Both include training, and neither requires prior experience.
Kitchen Volunteer (Greeley)
We are looking for dependable, community-minded volunteers to support the work in our Greeley kitchen. If you enjoy staying active and working alongside a friendly team, this role is a great fit.
- Location: our Greeley kitchen
- Time commitment: 3 to 4 hours per week
- Schedule: flexible, any time during business hours (7:00 am to 3:00 pm), Monday through Friday
- Requirements: a volunteer application and a background check
- Experience: none needed; we provide training
Meal Exchange Volunteer (Greeley to Platteville)
Our neighbors in Fort Lupton and Mead receive meals prepared in our Greeley kitchen. Exchange volunteers carry those meals partway south and hand them off to the drivers who deliver them. Exchange runs happen Monday through Friday, and each run looks like this:
- Pick up meals from our Greeley office by 10:00 am
- Drive the meals to a designated meeting spot in the Platteville area.
- Meet the Fort Lupton and Mead delivery drivers by 10:30 am, and exchange coolers of meals.
- Bring the empty coolers back to our Greeley office.
Requirements: a volunteer application, a current driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and a background check. We provide training.
This role keeps our Fort Lupton and Mead routes connected to the kitchen that feeds them. If you have a reliable car and a free morning, you can help keep those deliveries on schedule.
Why a Few Hours Make Such a Difference
In 1970, a small team of volunteers delivered meals to 24 Greeley residents. Today we deliver hundreds of meals a day across Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Platteville, Fort Lupton, Mead, and surrounding communities, and volunteers still make that possible.
A few hours in our kitchen or one morning drive to Platteville keeps a neighbor fed, checked on, and connected. For many of the people we serve, that support is what allows them to keep living at home.
Other Ways to Help
If a weekly shift doesn’t fit your schedule right now, you can still be part of the mission:
- Give a gift. $10 covers a meal for a neighbor in need. Donate today.
- Donate a vehicle this October. Through Cartober, your old car, truck, RV, motorcycle, or boat can fund meal deliveries.
- Share this post. Pass it along to a friend or neighbor in Greeley, Platteville, Fort Lupton, or Mead who is looking for a meaningful way to spend a few hours each week.
Ready to Get Started?
Fill out our volunteer application or give us a call (970-353-9738). We’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions.
You can also learn more about our programs at mealsonwheelsgreeley.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience to volunteer with Meals on Wheels? No. Both of our current openings include training, and no prior experience is required.
What do I need to apply? Every volunteer completes an application and a background check. Meal exchange volunteers also need a current driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.
Why does Weld County need more volunteers now? Weld County’s 65+ population grew 75% between 2010 and 2020, according to United Way of Weld County. As more neighbors age at home, more of them need the meals and wellness checks our volunteers provide.
What if I can’t volunteer on a regular schedule? You can still help. A $10 gift covers a meal, a vehicle donation through Cartober funds deliveries, and sharing our volunteer openings helps us reach the next person who is ready to serve.