With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s an appropriate time to review a few of the options available for both those in need of holiday meals and those interested in volunteering during the holidays.

Because many of our clients spend the holidays with family – and Meals on Wheels staff members enjoy spending time with their families too – many of our program sites are closed on Christmas and New Year’s. Most programs also offer frozen meal delivery for the days they will be closed. Current clients and volunteers may check with their program sites about holiday plans if they have questions.

We also field a number of inquiries from those looking to receive a meal or volunteer specifically on Christmas. There are a number of programs around the Twin Cities that offer special holiday meals.

For meal recipients and volunteers:

• VEAP  (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People): 952-888-9616, www.veapvolunteers.org/services/food-programThe Holiday Meals program delivers hot meals, donated by local restaurants and congregations, to home-bound, low- and fixed-income seniors and disabled adults on Christmas Day. These deliveries not only provide a hot meal on the holiday, but also a friendly visit. Note: Registration ends Dec. 18.
• Union Gospel Mission: 651-292-1721, www.ugmstpaul.orgUnion Gospel Mission serves a community meal on Christmas Day at its Men’s Campus, 435 University Avenue East, Saint Paul.

For volunteers:

• Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly: 612-746-0726, www.littlebrothersmn.orgVolunteers are needed to deliver meals on Christmas Day to current participants in Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly programs. The meal delivery program operates out of Bethel Lutheran Church, 4120 17th Ave. S., Minneapolis. Interested volunteers can call 612-746-0726 or email dfehring@littlebrothermn.org.

From all of us at Meals on Wheels, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season!