Changes ahead for Meals-on-Wheels volunteers

Route names

In January, the existing route names of the Meals-on-Wheels will be changing. This is due to a significant software change with our client database. There are some great things that will come with this:

• Route names will be more intuitive to where they are picked up. For instance, if you currently deliver V402, which picks up at Epworth United Methodist Church, the new route name will be FEPW2. This is short for Franklin – Epworth – 2.
• Routing will be done on a daily basis using geolocation based on active customers for that day and (relatively) real-time traffic. This will allow us to be more precise with the structure and flow of our routes.
• Once these new route names are fully established, we will share with you the new name for each of the existing routes.

Electronic delivery records

For the last few months, we have been piloting electronic delivery records with a majority of our weekday Meals-on-Wheels routes that pick up at Harmon Avenue. To do this, we are providing tablets enabled with the “Mobile Meals” application, as well as real-time consumer and directional data. This application will replace the paper delivery records that you currently use. We are preparing to roll out the tablets and application to all of our routes throughout early 2020. There are some fantastic things that come with this:

• You will be able to get real-time directions for your route via the tablet.
• You will be able to enter notes to the office regarding your route and consumers on your route that we will receive from you electronically in real-time.
• We will be reaching out to everyone relatively soon with training information on how to use the tablets and the application. We also will share information on in-person training sessions that we will offer for those who would like a more hands-on training.