Public meeting being held for Portlaoise Meals on Wheels

A public meeting is being held in Portlaoise in a bid to restart the town’s Meals on Wheels service. 

An invitation has been extended to prospective volunteers, local councillors, TDs, Laois Partnership, local voluntary groups and anyone who feels they could assist in getting the vital service back up and running in Portlaoise. 

The Meals and Wheels service provides warm meals for the elderly and vulnerable who might otherwise go without in Portlaoise. It ceased operating in Portlaoise in June of 2023, leaving between 25 and 27 service users without an alternative.  

The meals on wheels’ sector is seen as an essential frontline community service with providers around the country delivering meals to the elderly and vulnerable. The sector is currently underfunded and has significant service gaps which exist across the country, with Portlaoise town being one of these areas. The sector is heavily reliant on volunteers to aid in the delivery of the service. Any volunteers who can spare some time to assist this service would be greatly appreciated.  Volunteer support is invaluable in ensuring the success of Meals on Wheels. 

The meeting is being held in the parish centre in Portlaoise on Monday, March 3, 7.30pm. A discussion will take place on the absence of a Meals on Wheels’ service in Portlaoise town since June 2023.

Organisers are inviting anyone with an interest to attend the meeting in order to learn more and discuss how to address the lack of the service in the town. The meeting will be attended by local councillors, TD’s and the National Meals on Wheels Network. For more information please call 087 9355761.