Twelve months on, Ms Wulf says she's found the right balance.

"Now I don't have to do the shopping," she said.

"Quite honestly, it's the only contact I have with somebody the whole week - sometimes I go to lunch on Fridays but if [my friend] can't go for lunch, it's the only friendly face."

Ms Wulf is one of more than 170 Meals on Wheels clients who benefit.

Administered by Orange City Council, 132 volunteers donate their time to either deliver the meals pre-cooked in Bathurst, take the clients shopping for food or shop on their behalf.

Catherine Quick has volunteered with the service for the past 18 years.

"It was something I could contribute to the community while still looking after my children," she said.

Mrs Quick said it took her less than an hour a week to shop for her current client and it was a chance to connect.

"The time you spend with them is quality time," she said.

Orange City Council services committee chairman and councillor Stephen Nugent thanked the volunteers for their efforts.

National Meals on Wheels Day was celebrated on Wednesday.

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