OCO Nutrition Services Seeks Volunteers

One of area’s biggest kitchens is not in a restaurant.  It prepares approximately 5,500 meals a week that are enjoyed by seniors in every corner of Oswego County.

Oswego County Opportunities state of the art kitchen just north of Mexico is where staff and volunteers prepare, cook and package meals for OCO’s Meals on Wheels program and its Dining and Activity Centers.  These healthy, nutritious meals are served or delivered to more than 600 seniors.

For OCO’s kitchen to produce that volume of meals each and every week the staff rely on its many volunteers that graciously donate their time to help others. “In many ways our volunteers make it possible for us to meet the nutrition needs of our seniors,” said OCO Volunteer Coordinator Christine Parks. “They work side by side with our staff doing everything from preparing and packaging meals to clean up and even baking cookies!”

OCO is always in need of volunteers for its kitchen as well as its dining and activity centers. Located in Parish, Mexico, North Shore, Phoenix, Hannibal and Fulton, OCO dining and activity centers provide seniors with a friendly and welcoming environment where they can enjoy a hot, nutritious lunch, spend time with friends, and take part in a variety of activities.

“We make it easy to volunteer at our dining and activity centers,” said Parks. “Volunteers are welcome to join us at whenever time that is convenient for them.  They can be here as little as one day a week or even just one hour. It’s perfect for those who are retired. Our volunteers enjoy the opportunity to socialize as much as those who attend the centers.”

For more information on becoming a volunteer at one of OCO’s dining and activities centers contact Christine Parks at 315-598-4712 ext. 1807 or visit www.oco.org.

OCO is a private, non-profit agency that has been supporting communities throughout Oswego County since 1966. A member agency of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, OCO provides more than 50 vital services throughout 100 separate locations.  For more information, visit www.oco.org. Did you know? It’s OCO!

Bunny Chimber, a volunteer with Oswego County Opportunities Nutrition Services, serves up meals to Gladys White (l) and Mary Garofoliere (r) at OCO’s North Shore Dining and Activity Center. The centers provide seniors with a friendly and welcoming environment where they can enjoy a hot, nutritious lunch, spend time with friends and take part in a variety of activities. OCO is currently in need of community members willing to volunteers at all of its centers. For information contact Christine Parks at 315 -598-4712 ext. 1807 or visit www.oco.org.