Wake Co. Meals on Wheels delivers food to seniors ahead of storm
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Every day, Meals on Wheels of Wake County delivers hot meals to more than 1,300 people. For many, it's the only hot meal they'll get.
On Thursday, ABC11's Anna Laurel went with a couple of volunteers to check in on these seniors before the storm hits.
Elaine is 76 years old. She lives in the house she grew up in. Everyday, she greets her Meals on Wheels driver at the door.
"I wouldn't eat anything if it wasn't for that," she explained. "I can't cook anymore, I burn myself on the stove, the oven falls down on my hand."
Elaine doesn't think she could survive without them.
"I would have to eat shredded wheat with water in it and put it in the microwave to get it hot," she said.
"Our people really are some of the oldest people, some of the most vulnerable people who live in Wake County," said Alan Winstead with Meals on Wheels.
Thursday morning, Winstead and his team of volunteers loaded up and moved out to deliver hot meals to the more than 1,300 people across Wake County who need them.
"Most of them are just so sweet and so thankful that we come," said volunteer Paula Day. "And most of them...we are the only ones that they see for the day."
Day has been a volunteer for the past two years. She knows how important it is to help the meal recipients before a storm. If the school district cancels classes because of the weather, no hot meals will be delivered.
"I actually showed up on a snow day to deliver and they told us they weren't going to do it that day," she explained. "And I felt so bad because I knew those people weren't going to get their meals that day."
Now, these folks are just trying to be ready for the storm headed our way.
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"I've got a couple of flashlights, I've got some water...that's about it," Elaine told ABC11.
Last month, Meals on Wheels delivered two extra boxes of non-perishable meals, including soup the recipients can heat up.
What can you do? Check on an elderly neighbor who lives near you. Make sure they are okay and they have something warm to eat.
To learn more about Meals on Wheels of Wake County, click here.
