Hosted upstairs of the RSM Club, more than 80 volunteers gathered together to network, celebrate and share volunteering stories with like-minded people

Inverell Meals on Wheels manager Beck Brennan said the service was very fortunate to have a strong base of volunteers willing to give up their time and contribute.

Local couple Bert and Barbara Parsons were honoured for 10 years of service while Pauline Croft and Sue Szumowski reached the 20-year mark.

Thirty years of service has been built up by Helen Baldwin and Judith Hamilton has been volunteering for 35 years, while Bev Sims reached a huge 40-year milestone!

Bev said she first got involved with Meals on Wheels with another lady as part of the Uniting Church in Delungra and has been volunteering ever since.

"We used to live out there and apparently they always used to do Meals on Wheels. I suppose I enjoyed it and it was enjoyable that we were helping people," she said.

The kindness of clients, staff and other volunteers of Meals on Wheels were big factors to why Bev has been involved for so long. She encouraged residents to get involved.

"I think if people tried it they would really enjoy it. The biggest thing is knowing you are helping people and we all might need it in the future. It's good that I can do it, some things I can't do anymore but this I can," she said.

Meals on Wheels is available to anyone in the community aged 65 years or older. The service received funding from the Department of Health to subsidise meals.

Beck said apart from the nutrition provided through the meals, clients were receiving regular well-being checks with volunteers calling in on a regular basis.

"Just this week a client had a fall and needed attention but couldn't get up. A volunteer got to the house and heard him calling out. The volunteer was able to gain access, help the client and call the family so they could tend to him," she said.

Inverell Meals on Wheels has also started a program where volunteers and clients share a lunch together, with both meals provided by the service.

"It combats loneliness and social isolation. Our volunteers always say they get more out of it than what they give which is lovely to hear."

The luncheon on Tuesday was held by Meals on Wheels to thank all volunteers for their hard work and effort they put into everyone else's lives.

Beck said the event was an opportunity to network and brainstorm potential idea of programs and services volunteers would like to see introduced to keep the service moving forward.