October Volunteer Newsletter and New Opportunities

Hot Meal News!

NEW VicNet Position: *FLEX Drivers

We need flexible volunteers committed one day a week to help us fill the gaps of regular volunteers. Help us direct volunteers in the Driver's Bay then jump in to fill a route Monday - Friday. Hop in to your VicNet portal today!

NEW VicNet Position: Johnson County Drop

Drive a Horizons van and save mileage on your vehicle while you volunteer! We need help delivering critical hot meals to Johnson county Monday - Friday. This shift is a quick ride down and back with just one stop! Hop in to your VicNet portal today!

NEW Resource: Route Boundaries

Curious about where a new route goes? Check out our new route boundaries section where you can view the parameters of each Hot Meal route today! Click here.

Mileage Reimbursement

Did you know Horizons reimburses part of our route mileage? Email Mary this completed form before you enter your mileage in VicNet to be reimbursed!

W-9 Mileage Reimbursement Form

Breakfast Bag Routes

Are you interested in driving a route on a day that isn't available for Hot Meals? Ask Mary more about Breakfast Bag routes and which day you would like to deliver!

Get to know: Hawthorne Hills

Distance: 15 miles

Stops: 14 clients

Volunteers: Kevin McCarville, Donna Lynch, Roxi McCrane, and Denny Goettel

Hawthorne Hills runs along SW Cedar Rapids down C Ave and near Kirkwood. There are a couple apartment buildings and the rest are quick stops at clients' homes!

Big thanks to Kevin for doing this route twice a week!

#BetterTogether

More Than A Meal - Social Determinants of Health

“Social determinants of health are ‘the structural determinants and conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age,’” according to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. “They include factors like socioeconomic status, education, the physical environment, employment, and social support networks, as well as access to health care.”

Supporting individuals and families with barriers to success in improving their Social Determinants can improve their overall well-being. Our work as a Meals on Wheels provider is not only to offer excellent nutrition and quality meals service, but to serve as the eyes and ears of the community for people who are often isolated and living with long term physical ailments in addition to low income levels and other barriers to health.

Meals on Wheels drivers are in a good position for detecting any alarming changes in recipient health, and have been effective at alerting care coordinators when a senior may need help addressing the social determinants of health, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Friday 10/15: Raygun Cedar Rapids will donate 10% of sales from 4 - 8 pm. Join us for cookies and cider!

Thursday 10/21: Mickey's Irish Pub is donating 10% of proceeds to Meals on Wheels of Johnson County from 5 pm - close!

Monday 10/25: Falbo Bro's Pizza in Coralville is giving back 10% of proceeds to Meals on Wheels of Johnson County!

Friday 11/12: Mandarin Spice Asian Grill is donating 15% of their sales.

Visit our events page for more Community Partner Events and #GiveBack nights coming up soon!

Adopt-A-Route

Are you a part of a corporate group that wants to get involved in the community?

Grab your team and deliver once a week to homebound adults in the Corridor!

Recruit-A-Friend

Earn a Horizons t-shirt by recruiting a friend to alternate weeks with you for a more flexible schedule! Even better, have them pick up their own route.

Be a Substitute Driver!

Don't have the availability to drive a regular route?

No problem! Be a substitute driver and pick up routes at your convenience!

Adopt a route today!

Send your friend here!

Sign me up!