Meals on Wheels: 450,000 portions for seniors in the Rohrbach district

Meals on Wheels: 450,000 portions for seniors in the Rohrbach district

In Austria, the “Meals on Wheels” initiative in the Rohrbach and Aigen-Schlägl districts provides important support for older people. According to information from meinkreis.at Over 450,000 portions of hot meals have been delivered since 2008 and demand continues to increase. The dedicated team, consisting of 20 volunteer drivers, currently delivers a menu for 10.60 euros to 128 customers seven days a week. Drivers make up to 30 stops a day to provide the elderly with not only food but also social contact by exchanging a few friendly words.

Hunger and Poverty: An Alarming Problem

Given the increasing poverty in Austria, the importance of such social offers becomes even clearer. Over 1.3 million people are affected by poverty bpb.de reported. The situation is particularly precarious for people living alone and single parents, who struggle with an at-risk-of-poverty rate of 23.7 and 26.4%, respectively. Poverty is defined in the EU as a condition in which people have so few means that they are excluded from the socially accepted way of life. The risk of poverty value is a monthly income of less than 1,314 euros, which places a heavy burden on some groups in Austria.

The combination of the need to help older people with food and services, as well as the alarming poverty statistics, shows the importance of social initiatives. The excellent work of the volunteers is recognized by the population and highlights the basic needs of people who often live in solitude and are dependent on support.