Recipient coordinator Kate Woodhall says recruitment for new volunteers has been slow and Napier volunteers are travelling to Hastings to deliver meals.
"Now that we are having a lot more referrals with Hastings opening up, we need as many volunteers as we can get."
Criteria for meal recipients has also widened which has added to the increase in referrals, Kate says.
"People with young children under financial stress are also now eligible for help."
The repertoire of meals — spaghetti bolognaise, macaroni cheese and lasagne — has also expanded and now includes tomato and lentil soup and a vegetarian curry.
About 18 volunteers are on the books, with some sharing in the once a month "cook-a-thon" and others preferring to make deliveries.
"It's just whatever people are comfortable with. The shared cooking takes around three hours to make all the meals, and deliveries could be around once a week each."
Bellyful Hawke's Bay needs support from the community to ensure it can reach more people. Traditional fundraisers are held to purchase ingredients, with the balance coming from grants, sponsors and donations.
"Being a Bellyful volunteer is a fun way to give back to your community and get to know some other kind-hearted locals. Whether you end up chopping onions or delivering meals, you make a difference.
"Whānau often tell us how much of a weight lifts from their shoulders when a kind volunteer drops off meals, and how it makes them feel like their community cares."
To apply to be a Bellyful volunteer or to receive a delivery visit www.bellyful.org.nz/become-a-volunteer
