KGUN 9NewsCoronavirus

Actions

TPD fills need for volunteers with Mobile Meals during pandemic

Posted
and last updated

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Tucson Police Department is helping fill the need for volunteers at Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona.

Mobile Meals is a nonprofit that helps deliver food to those in need. Interim Executive Director of Mobile Meals Jennifer Tersigni said they've seen a 20% increase in clients.

"A lot of care giving services have had to step back," Tersigni said. "I know a lot of people have had to cancel their care giving services out of fear, and then they find themselves without some sort of food or food preparation assistance."

This means more volunteers, but most of the drivers who typically deliver food are at high-risk to COVID-19. This is when the TPD stepped in to help.

"There are people at home who need a little bit of help for what ever there life circumstance is," Sergeant Brad Cheney with TPD said. "They are maybe not able to be as mobile as they once were or maybe they have some health concerns where they can’t get out and about and they’re at risk."

Sergeant Cheney is one of the 23 officers who is volunteering on his days off. He said all the officers plan on helping out until the crisis is over.

"We are so delighted that the Tucson Police Department stepped up to serve in an additional way," Tersigni said.

The organization is still taking clients and volunteers. For more information on how to sign up, go here.