A local charity in Nambour has issued an impassioned plea for additional volunteers as they brace for the challenges of the festive season.

Nambour Meals on Wheels, which provides more than 35,000 meals locally each year, is seeking support to ensure the Sunshine Coast’s most vulnerable are supported.

Federal Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien, has answered the call by not only volunteering his time, but providing the organisation with a $5000 Federal Government Grant to directly support the Nambour Meals on Wheels volunteer workforce.

“For many people in our community, Christmas can be the loneliest and most challenging time of the year,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I commend the team at Nambour Meals on Wheels who work throughout the year caring for and supporting our community’s most vulnerable.

“It’s a privilege to help these people who dedicate themselves to helping others so much, and I know they’ll make this $5,000 stretch as far as possible.”

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Nambour Meals on Wheels not only provides meals to people with a variety of support needs, but also undertakes daily welfare checks to monitor the health and wellbeing of their clients, many of which may not see anyone else during the day.

The organisation is looking to fill several volunteer roles, which include activities such as kitchen support, odd jobs and delivering meals to those in need.

Secretary of Nambour Meals on Wheels, Phillip Worthy, said that while this time of year was problematic for the organisation, he was confident the community would respond.

“We have an incredibly dynamic and welcoming workforce at Nambour Meals on Wheels who are always eager to support new volunteers,” Mr Worthy said.

“Volunteering is not only a great way to give back to the community but a fantastic way to meet new people, make new friends and be productive.

“Whether it’s once a week, once a fortnight or once a month every little bit counts so, please contact us today on 5441 3543 to get involved.”

More than 8.7 million volunteers across the country freely give their time and skills to support others and contribute around $290 billion each year to Australia’s economy.