Spring has sprung and summer will be here before you know it.

While this means vacations for many, it also means it becomes more challenging to get hot meals to area residents who may not be able to get out of their homes. That is why Meals on Wheels is looking for some seasonal assistance.

“Some of our regular route drivers take a break during the summer leaving an opening for summer volunteers,” said Linn Hogg, director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program which oversees MOW. “We are looking for individuals,groups, business or civic organizations to help us out.”

These substitutes will be delivering nutritious meals, but it means more than that, Hogg said. “Sometimes, more importantly, you will be making contact with another person. Often, our volunteers are the only people these folks will see all day.”

Meals are served five days a week in the city limits of Great Bend, Ellinwood and Hoisington. But, it is the eight routes in Great Bend that are the issue and there are openings for every day of the week.

“Many of our volunteers become very close to the people they deliver to,” she said. It is also an excellent opportunity for a parent and child to take a route to instill the importance of volunteerism.

 Meals on Wheels is a non-profit organization founded in 1972 to provide the well-balanced meals to those age 60 and over who are unable, due to age, physical, or mental condition or infirmity to shop, or prepare meals for themselves.

Hogg said Meals On Wheels currently serves 96 clients. That’s an average of around 1,425 meals that go out monthly.

The cost of a meal is $5.25 for those who do not meet the over-60 and housebound criteria. If those criteria are met, they ask for a suggested donation of $3.25 per meal.

They are prepared by the Great Bend Senior Center. 

For information, contact Hogg at 620-792-1614, or stop by the MOW office at 1025 Main, room D-114.