Glen Motz is seen preparing a meal in the Veiner Centre kitchen. Motz joined other local "celebs" to volunteer time delivering meals to seniors through the Meals on Wheels program's fundraising event 'Champion Week,' which runs during a month-long "March 4 Meals" campaign.--HANDOUT PHOTO
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Glen Motz, Della Burkett, local paramedics and members of Canadian Natural Resources have been volunteering time this week to support the Unison at Veiner Centre’s Meals on Wheels campaign.
This week the Veiner Centre is hosting its annual Champion Week which runs during the March 4 Meals month-long fundraising campaign to support the Meals on Wheels program that provides healthy, nutritious meals at a subsidized price to seniors who have a hard time preparing them on their own usually.
During Champion Week local “celebrities” volunteer time by going door-to-door delivering the meals prepared by kitchen volunteers earlier in the morning.
“Meals on Wheels is far more than a delivery service,” reads a release. “Many seniors living in isolation face chronic health conditions that limit their ability to socialize and prepare their own meals.”
Meals on Wheels delivered more than 39,600 meals in 2025 to more than 390 senior citizens who live in Medicine Hat and the surrounding communities.
The average age of a Meals on Wheels client is 78 and the Veiner Centre says many rely on this service for nutritious meals as well as wellness checks provided daily by volunteers.
This translates to roughly 200 fresh meals delivered daily by volunteers.
“All the drivers are volunteers who do each route and they go in and not only deliver meals to these people, they actually do a wellness check and make sure they’re doing okay and maybe have a little visit,” said food service manager Rick Leach. “Keeping in mind that sometimes these drivers are the only people they see daily.”
In a recent video posted to the Unison for Generations 50+ YouTube page the Veiner Centre says it is facing challenges in sustaining the program and are reaching out to the community for support.
Donations of any amount are accepted however the Veiner Centre has listed three tiers of donation levels and provided where how those dollars are spent.
A donation of $56 will provide a week’s worth of subsidized meals for a senior in need. A donation of $160 will fund the transportation costs of a volunteer delivery driver for one week, covering approximately 160 kilometres of travel per day. A donation of $224 will provide a month’s worth of meals for a senior living with financial insecurity.
“Through each delivery the team at Unison at Veiner Centre offers something equally important alongside the food: a moment of genuine human connection,” the release reads.
Donations can be made online or in person. Throughout the month, bottles can also be donated at Shamrock Bottle Depot or the Veiner Centre to support the camping.
