Return of Portlaoise Meals on Wheels with Leprino cheese factory help

Fresh dinners delivered by a friendly face are returning again to the doorsteps of elderly and vulnerable in Portlaoise, with the relaunch of Meals on Wheels in the near future.

It is getting a one-off cash boost from the Leprino cheese factory to get it kickstarted. It will be run by a small local volunteer committee and a newly announced service coordinator.

The Laois county town has been without the vital programme since June 2023, which relies on volunteers to drive and deliver the meals door to door. Other Meals on Wheels continue successfully in Portarlington, Mountmellick and Abbeyleix.

The meals had been cooked by Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise, then the HSE outsourced it to a private provider who then later closed down, and the service was ended. Local councillors were critical of the loss. 

Now rather than being cooked in Portlaoise, the meals will be cooked by Food Cloud, a non-profit Dublin company using fresh surplus food. 

Portlaoise woman Teresa McLoskey chairs the committee.

“I set up the committee last March, on the advice of Brian Stanley who has been a great support. There’s only five of us on the committee, but it’s a good strong band.

“We have 40 volunteers now waiting to be drivers. We have a 12 month lease for a kitchen in St Fintan’s and we got the goahead which is amazing. 

“I want to be able to offer a hand for people on their own who might not have families. To be maybe a light in their dark days, to help a friendship to be formed. That’s why vetting all of our volunteers is so important. 

“The need is massive. Before summer I liaised with public health nurses to try and get a number for Portlaoise people who did not have access to hot meals and were unable to cook. The number then was 60. It changes every week, elderly people go into care or pass away. I knew the number could double very quickly. We are starting small, I do believe it’s going to be big.”

Portlaoise was also earmarked after the National Meals on Wheels Network who highlighted gaps in the service across the country due to underfunding.

Urgent action was recommended to address the need, which led to public meetings this year aiming to get the vital service back up and running. 

Laois Partnership Company (LPC) will support the committee. 

They say that Leprino will provide once-off funding to see this pilot programme get off the ground, with the intention being to source pre-packed ready meals with a shelf life of seven days. The service will be delivered at low cost to the older person,  with the income used to pay for the meal and other associated costs, like transport. 

Caroline Lydon is the CEO of Laois Partnership Company.

“We are delighted to be able to support the local group of volunteers who came together to address this gap in service. Leprino, who have been based in Portlaoise for five years, were keen to support a local ‘good cause’ and were delighted when this opportunity was pitched to them. This pilot project is a great example of how local businesses and community groups can work together to achieve good outcomes for those who need it most. We look forward to seeing how this project progresses.” 

A spokesperson for Leprino added: “Ethics is one of our core values, and for us, that simply means doing the right thing — for our people, our customers, and our communities. As part of our purpose to sustainably feed and nourish families around the world, we’re proud to support efforts that help our neighbours right here at home. It’s wonderful to see local residents and businesses coming together to make a real difference, and we wish all the volunteers every success." 

LPC has recruited the Meals on Wheels coordinator who will work 15hrs a week.

They will be liaising with the volunteer Meals on Wheels Steering Committee to establish the service. 

"It is envisaged that this service will start slowly, but it is hoped that it will develop and expand to meet the growing demand," LPC say.

More volunteers are still required to ensure effective distribution to those who need it most around the town. 

“We will always need volunteer drivers. Portarlington has 120, we have 40 so far. The more we have, the less they have to drive on the rota so they won’t burn out,” chairperson Teresa McCloskey said.

To volunteer email portlaoisemealsonwheels@gmail.com or message their Facebook page, or call Teresa on 087 9355761