IM's Operation IMpact Frequently Asked Questions
HOW WILL OPERATION IMPACT WORK?
Each volunteer Group Leader will pick up the supplies from their assigned pick-up location and then go to meet their group members at a convenient location of their choosing. Your group of volunteers divides routes and delivers supplies to the clients’ homes. Group Leaders will receive detailed training and instructions to help their group members understand their roles.
HOW CAN I HELP WITH OPERATION IMPACT?
Recruit volunteers to join your group! Ask members of your company, congregation, youth group, civic organization, or school to participate with you. Or, form a group with family and friends. Register your group here.
More Questions
- What is the purpose of Operation IMpact?
- How do I participate?
- How do I form a group?
- How big should my group be?
- What does the Group Leader do before May?
- What does the Group Leader do on May 4th?
- What do Group Members do?
- I can't volunteer during Operation IMpact. Can I still help?
- Can you please describe the types of volunteers?
- Where is the event?
- What time can I pick up my delivery route?
- What if my group can't all volunteer together to deliver meals on May 4th?
- When is the deadline to reserve a delivery route?
- What do I need to bring?
- Where do we park?
- Can I bring my family? Is this a kid friendly event?
- How long will it take me to deliver my route?
- How should I dress?
- Can I have a route in my part of town?
- What do I do if I get lost while delivering meals?
- May I bring extra food and give it to the seniors?
- What are the procedures for dropping off supplies to the seniors?
- What is new this year?
- Do I have to fundraise to participate?
- What is a fundraising group?
- In which zip codes can I deliver?
Please note to reserve a delivery route, you must form your group and register.
- What is the purpose of Operation IMpact?
Meals on Wheels Operation IMpact is a special project to help prepare homebound seniors across our community for Hurricane Season. Just last year we were all reminded by Hurricane Harvey how vitally important this program is! Each client will recieve a 4.25" by 11.75" by 9.25" box containing self stable foods and a case of water bottles (1 case = 24 bottles @ 16.9oz).
- How do I participate?
Become a Group Leader! Scroll down to learn the basics or jump to see all of the event's roles. If you are not able to participate with a group you may volunteer as an individal. If you have any issues with registration please email Cecilia Pham @ cpham@imgh.org.
- How do I form a group?
Volunteer Group Leaders recruit volunteers to join their group! Ask members of your company, congregation, youth group, civic organization, or school to participate with you. Or form a group with family and friends. Register your group here.
- How big should my group be?
Groups include about 10 or more members of any age. This is a great family-friendly activity! Each group should have at least 3 vehicles and up to 50 vehicles, including 1 or 2 trucks or SUVs to pick up 50-100 cases of water and small boxes of emergency meals. If your group has more than 4 vehicles then we will assign a larger route. Cases of water take up a lot of space! Please bring at least two large vehicles to the pickup location.
- What does the Group Leader do before May?
Volunteer group leaders recruit their own groups. They register their group on the Operation IMpact website and select a pickup location near where they hope to deliver. IM may need to move your group to another area based on need. They are then given training materials by IM and select a pickup time. They arrange a meeting place with their group to distribute supplies and delivery instructions to their group. They contact group members and make sure they know where and when they are expected.
- What does the Group Leader do on May 4th?
Volunteer Group Leaders pick up shelf-stable meals, cases of water and supply packets from their appointed pick-up location at the correct time. If your group has more than 4 vehicles then we will assign a larger route. Cases of water take up a lot of space! Please bring at least two large vehicles to the pickup location. The Group Leader brings the supplies and instructions to their group meeting place and distributes materials and supplies.
- What do Group Members do?
Volunteer group members meet their Group Leader at their group's meeting place. They deliver supplies to the clients on their list. If the client is not available, volunteers can return later in the day or within the next two days. After that, all undelivered supplies should be returned, clearly showing which clients did and did not receive the supplies, to IM at their pick-up location. IM will arrange completion of deliveries.
- I can't volunteer on May 4th. Can I still help?
We need a few individual volunteers to help in setting up Operation IMpact. If you're interested in these roles, please contact Cecilia Pham at cpham@imgh.org.
Also, you can register to fundraise via this site. Register here. You can create a personal page in the participant center and email your family and friends and ask for their help providing hot meals for seniors during Hurricane Season and beyond. - Can you please describe the types of volunteers?
- Group Leaders form and register the groups.
- Group Members join the groups and make deliveries on May 4th.
- Volunteers at the Distribution site—set-up, check-in delivery drivers, assist with post event clean-up, help the event staff, etc.
- Fundraise only—if you can't be there on May 4th, volunteer to fundraise on behalf of homebound seniors and help provide hot meals.
- Where is the event?
Volunteers will make deliveries all over the Greater Houston and Galveston area. Group Leaders register for their most convenient routes.
- What time can I pick up my delivery route?
Group Leaders register for available pick-up times and then arrange to meet Group Members at a convenient time and place. Pick-up times are mostly between 8 and 11 a.m. Groups that register late in April will probably have only early and late times to choose from.
- What if my group can't volunteer together to deliver meals on May 4th?
Groups are encouraged to volunteer and fundraise together. Each Group Leader must register the group to reserve delivery routes and select a pick-up location and time. Groups should deliver soon after pick-up, but there is some flexibility. Groups have two days to deliver and then must return any undelivered suppplies to the pick-up location.
It is possible to have people on your group who cannot deliver, they can still sign-up to help in your group's fundraising efforts.
- When is the deadline to reserve a delivery route?
The deadline to reserve a delivery route is Monday, April 15th at 5pm or until all available routes have been reserved.
- What do I need to bring?
- Group Leaders should bring a truck or SUV to pick up supplies to bring to Group Members. To participate as a volunteer delivery vehicle driver, any vehicle will do.
- Please plan to bring a GPS system. Directions will be provided for your route, but many volunteers find a GPS system helpful should they become lost.
- We are collecting donations for aniMeals on Wheels -- please bring pet food donations!
- Where do we park?
Group Leaders should come at their appointed time, not early or late. Timing is necessary to load up each group. There will also be volunteers present directing traffic at all locations.
Groups should then meet at a convenient location to distribute ther routes and supplies.
- Can I bring my family? Is this a kid friendly event?
Families and children are welcome!
- How long will it take me to deliver my route?
Depending on the size of your group, the deliveries should take no more than a couple of hours. Volunteers may attempt to deliver undelivered supplies over the next two days.
- How should I dress?
Please dress comfortably in closed toed shoes.
- Can I have a route in my part of town?
We try to accommodate your preference for the area of pick-up and delivery based on the information you give us during registration. We do our best to provide a route in this area. The areas of most need are in the central, northeast, and southeast parts of Houston.
This year's pick-up locations:
Humble -- Humble Area Assistance Ministries, 1204 First St. E. Humble 77338
Katy area -- Covenant Lutheran Church, 3785 Barker Cypress Rd. Houston 77084
East Downtown -- CenterPoint Energy, 3000 Harrisburg Blvd. Houston 77003
Midtown -- Meals on Wheels, 3202 San Jacinto St. Houston 77004
Chinatown -- Chinese Community Center, 9800 Town Park Dr. Houston 77036
Westpark Tollway and Hwy 6 -- Arya Samaj Greater Houston, 14375 Schiller Rd. Houston 77082
Galveston County -- Carbide Park, 4102 Main St. La Marque 77568 - What do I do if I get lost while delivering meals?
If you get lost or have difficulties finding the senior's address, you can call the phone number provided with the route sheets on May 4th.
- May I bring extra food and give it to the seniors?
The official rule is that only the provided meals can be served to seniors on behalf of IM. Please show the seniors every kindness, but do not bring treats!
- What are the procedures for dropping off supplies to the seniors?
Before heading to the senior's home:
- Call before heading to the senior's home. If the phone is disconnected, proceed to the address.
- Ring the doorbell, knock loudly, and say "Meals on Wheels." Wait for a few minutes to allow the individual to get to the door. Many of our seniors move slowly and can take several minutes to come to the door.
- When the senior opens the door, find a place to set the supplies and explain their purpose. You are welcome to visit with them for a few minutes.
- If the senior is not home, do not leave supplies at the door. Take the supplies with you. You have two more days to attempt delivery.
- After two days, please return any undelivered supplies to your designated pick-up location. Meals on Wheels will arrange for delivery at a later date.
- What is new this year?
This year we have added pick-up sites in West Houston and Galveston County to accommodate the growing number of seniors we serve! Now more than ever, homebound seniors need your help. Which is why we are asking you to help us raise $50,000 to provide hot meals to seniors in need. For every $16 you give or help fundraise, IM's Meals on Wheels can provide one senior with a storm kit with 5 shelf-stable meals and water. We will also be collecting pet food donations at the event for our aniMeals on Wheels program. Donate today.
Top -
Do I have to fundraise to participate?
No, you do not have to fundraise to participate. But, more than ever, homebound seniors need your help. Which is why we are asking you to help us raise $50,000 to provide these emergency supplies and more meals to seniors in need. For every $16 you give, IM's Meals on Wheels can provide a senior with a storm kit and meals.
Top -
What is a fundraising group?
A fundraising group is a tool for fundraising only. By using the fundraising group tool, you and your group can work together to raise even more funds to help provide emergency meals to seniors. Groups are a great way to propel your toward your fundraising goal and help even more seniors. Please note: for each volunteer delivery group, you must complete registration.
Top -
Where can I deliver?
There are a total of 130 delivery zip codes. Below is a comprehensive list of delivery zip codes in ascending order.
75771, 77002, 77003, 77004, 77006, 77007, 77008, 77009, 77011, 77012, 77013, 77014, 77015, 77016, 77017, 77018, 77019, 77020, 77021, 77022, 77023, 77024, 77025, 77026, 77027, 77028, 77029, 77030, 77031, 77032, 77033, 77034, 77035, 77036, 77037, 77038, 77039, 77040, 77041, 77042, 77043, 77044, 77045, 77046, 77047, 77048, 77049, 77050, 77051, 77054, 77055, 77056, 77057, 77060, 77063, 77064, 77065, 77066, 77067, 77068, 77069, 77070, 77071,77072, 77073, 77074, 77075, 77076, 77077, 77078, 77079, 77080, 77081, 77082, 77083, 77084, 77085, 77086, 77087, 77088, 77089, 77090, 77091, 77092,77093, 77095, 77096, 77098, 77099, 77336, 77338, 77339, 77345, 77346, 77373, 77375, 77377, 77379, 77388, 77389, 77396, 77429, 77433, 77449, 77450, 77493, 77494, 77502, 77504, 77506, 77520, 77521, 77530, 77532, 77550, 77562, 77598
When you register your group, you'll see this map. Select a general area that is convenient for you and we will try to provide routes close by.
Top
