Huge regret as meals on wheels falls victim to fuel price hikes

STRABANE’S Meals on Wheels service is to close at the end of the month, it has been revealed.

The community service, which has been operated by Strabane Community Project (SCP) for almost a decade, and has been in operation in the town for over 30 years in total, will serve its last meal at the end of the month. The cost of living crisis and the escalating prices of fuel and food is to blame.

Ursula Doherty, manager at SCP explained, “It comes with great sadness and regret that Strabane Community Project has announced this closure. The Meals on Wheels Service has not been funded by any statutory bodies for almost a decade. Strabane Community Project has run this service at a loss in order to continue this support to our clients.

“Unfortunately, the high increase in the costs of food, electricity, gas and fuel related to the delivery of this service, which currently runs at a total of £120,000 per year and is rapidly increasing, has impacted on Strabane Community Project’s ability to absorb these costs, and in the current crisis, these costs cannot be met by our service users. Since September alone, our costs for running the service have shot up £10,000.

“To date every avenue has been exhausted by the organisation to prevent this drastic measure and to save this vital service which has operated for over 30 years and has provided a lifeline to many service users and their families.”

At present, meals on wheels serves 79 people across Strabane town and district, individuals who will now be left without what had been a regular meal delivery service.

The Meals on Wheels Service has been essential in not only delivering much-needed nutrition and sustenance to the people of Strabane since 1986, but there is a social aspect which goes hand-in-hand.

Ms Doherty further explained that the Luncheon Club will remain open and will continue to be delivered by SCP. It will still operate from the Parlour Tea Room based at St Patrick’s Hall, providing a warm nutritional meal and social activities for our older people three days per week.

Ms Doherty moved to thank the SCP directors and management and suppliers for their continued support. Asked if she expected any last minute reprieves, she gave a despondent answer, saying, “If there is to be any kind of last-minute reprieve then it will only happen through a consistent funding stream. This isn’t something you can put a sticking plaster over.”