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28
For the majority of the year the service was operated with two vans
provided by the City Council and loaned to the Society on the understanding
that they will be returned to the Council if they cease to be used for
the service. The City Council also makes an annual grant to the Society
of 75 per cent, of the running costs of the vans. In July, 1960, at the
Society's request, the City Council agreed that a third van should be
purchased and loaned to the Society on the same conditions. The
provision of the third van enabled meals to be delivered more frequently,
particularly in the Soho area, and also extended the service to certain areas
of the City not then adequately covered and in which there was a need
for meals. The third van was inaugurated on 3rd October, 1960, and
the number of meals rose steadily until at the end of the year an average
of 440 per week were being delivered. It is pleasing to note that the
provision of the third van has enabled this service to be brought to many
more old people in Westminster.
The number of meals delivered during the year reached a total of
16,558, the highest total since the meals service commenced in Westminster
in 1946.
The Mobile Meals Service is dependent upon the help of a small
band of willing volunteers who turn out regularly, whatever the weather,
to assist in delivering the meals to old people in their homes. The
invaluable service rendered by the Society and the voluntary helpers
is much appreciated by all concerned.
Luncheon Clubs
The British Red Cross Society, in March, 1957, opened a luncheon
club for the elderly in accommodation on one of the Council's Housing
Estates, a second luncheon club being opened in October, 1958, in City
Council premises in Monck Street. Both clubs operate on two days
each week, and have proved convenient centres where aged persons who
are not housebound can have a hot meal at a modest price, and enjoy
the company of others. The meals are purchased by the Society from
the caterers who supply the meals for the mobile service, and are conveyed
in insulated containers to the clubs, where they are served out by
voluntary workers.
As in the case of the " Meals on Wheels " Service, the price of the
meals was increased in June, 1959, from Is. 6d. to Is. \0d. per meal;
the old people pay 8d., the London County Council pays llrf., and the
City Council bears the balance of 3d. per meal. The City Council also
makes a grant to the Society of 75 per cent, of the costs of running the
Clubs, as well as bearing the cost of equipment. During 1960, 4,924 meals
were served at the two Luncheon Clubs.