Dozens Of Tulsans Go Without Meals Because Of Volunteer Shortage

Dozens of homebound people who rely on meals on wheels didn't get meals one day this week. The lack of volunteer drivers is the reason.

12/13/2011 Related Story: Tulsa Area Meals On Wheels In Critical Need Of Volunteers

Meals on Wheels says they were short four drivers at one location on Monday. Because of the shortage, they were not able to deliver a hot meal to about 85 people. For some, that's the only hot meal they will have that day.

Howard Reese, 87, says the Meals on Wheels delivery helps him in more ways than one.

"I live here by myself and sometimes it's hard to get to the grocery store and funds are sometime a little bit on the low side," Reese said.

It's people like Howard that keep volunteers like Walter and Sammie Johnson behind the wheel three days a week.

"They are people you just love. You're around them you come see them and you get to be really good friends with him," said Walter Johnson, Meals on Wheels volunteer.

Meals on Wheels says the need for the homebound elderly and disabled people in Tulsa is constant. But the need for volunteers has never been more urgent.

Cathy Perlingiere, the director of volunteer services, says one delivery site was shut down for a day due to a lack of delivery drivers.

"We had a lot of people calling ‘am I going to get my meal?' It just breaks your heart to say I'm sorry you're not," Perlingiere said.

The numbers are down for a few reasons: People are going back to work, some are elderly themselves and can't drive anymore.

"That really worries me. I would hate to see this stop because they don't have volunteers. Boy that would really be upsetting. This is a good program. It's a program they need," Johnson said.

Less volunteers means less delivery. And for the first time, Meals on Wheels could have a waiting list. For people like Howard that possibly means going without.

"I don't know. They just do without a meal that day. So we need the volunteers. Bad!" Howard said.

Typical Meals on Wheels drivers deliver a dozen meals between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on weekdays.

Call 918-627-4103 or go to Meals on Wheels Tulsa for more information.