Dubbo's Meals on Wheels may need to call on the ADF in the future

He may have to ask for their help down the track.

The increasing threat of COVID-19's Delta variant in regional NSW has seen the not-for-profit organisation at Dubbo lose volunteers hand over fist.

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"We have lost a significant amount of volunteers over the last 10 days or so," Mr English said on Wednesday afternoon.

Staffing of the organisation has also been disrupted through necessary and obligatory testing.

"They have children at school. They have had to go and get tested," Mr English said.

Nevertheless, the service manager says the needs of "well over 200 clients" at Dubbo, Narromine and Trangie continue to be met along with "a couple of new clients every day".

He also notes the "huge majority" of clients are not displaying anxiety about the pandemic as they did in 2020, and are heeding stay-at-home orders as part of "doing their bit" for the community.

"We're not getting the phone calls, we're not getting the vibe when we are contacting them," Mr English said.

"I think they are resigned to the fact that it is just a matter of time and are waiting it out patiently.

"I think they are probably taking it better than some other members of the community who are still wanting to be active in the community."

Mr English said Meals on Wheels Dubbo had built a rapport with its clientele throughout the pandemic and made a commitment to them.

"It is different, it is harder, but we are signed up to protect the elderly and we are doing that," he said.

"We're trying to utilise our volunteers who have had double COVID vaccinations or at least one, just for their safety and our clients safety."

Mr English has also offered help to "older people experiencing food insecurity" after meal delivery company Lite n Easy's Sydney facility was temporarily closed due to the virus.

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