In the past two weeks, the Food Services Blue Mountains, which provides Meals on Wheels services, has taken on 64 new clients, as the coronavirus pandemic rolls on.
Karen Frawley, who manages Meals on Wheels and all of the Food Services' Commonwealth home support programs, says she can hear the relief in the voices of the elderly when they discover it's easy for them to receive Meals on Wheels.
"They're watching the news and there's a fear of food running out," she said.
"The big bonus of Meals on Wheels is they still have someone coming to their house every week."
Although the interaction is brief, it's human contact and something to look forward to every week, and the volunteer can report back if they notice anything amiss with the client.
"Even though they are isolated, they are very resilient and very upbeat and taking it on their shoulders," Ms Frawley said.
The Meals on Wheels service runs from Mt Victoria to Lapstone, and last week's deliveries included toilet paper and an Easter egg.
Ms Frawley says she's also had phonecall after phonecall of people offering to volunteer their time. "We feel lucky," she said.
Meanwhile, police has encouraged people to check on their elderly neighbours, after Blue Mountains Police Rescue found an elderly woman on the kitchen floor on April 6, with hypothermia and dehydration from a fall the day before.
Police were called to the Mid Mountains address after a community support driver arrived to take the woman to an appointment and could hear her calling for help inside the locked house.
"Perhaps it is timely in the current climate to keep an eye out for our elderly neighbours. If you haven't seen them in a while or have any concerns for their welfare, please contact your local police who will make inquiries and or attend the address to check on them," police said.
Blue Mountains Council has launched a community initiative to help people check in on their neighbours.
If residents have a neighbour who is self-isolating, especially those in the vulnerable and at risk categories, they can fill out a Good Neighbour calling card to let them know they are around if they need anything to help get them through.
There's a range of options people can tick on the card, whether it's picking up some groceries or supplies, walking their dog or just having a friendly chat over the phone.
"This initiative is more relevant now than ever, as we all hunker down to weather the COVID-19 pandemic," said mayor Mark Greenhill. "I've talked a lot about how amazing the Blue Mountains community is, and that we always get through tough times together."
A copy of the Good Neighbour calling card will be sent to all households at the end of April, and can also be downloaded at: www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/goodneighbour.
