TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Your help can keep elderly shut-ins strong and healthy. Without your help they may have trouble getting their meals.
A shortage of volunteers is making it harder for Mobile Meals of Tucson to deliver the healthy, balanced meals its clients depend on.
Once a week, for almost 20 years Linda and John Bryant have driven out on a on a life giving mission.
John Bryant says, “Over the years we've been doing it we've met a lot of nice people and realized we might be the only person to whom they speak in a 24 hour period."
They are volunteer drivers for Mobile Meals of Tucson, delivering lunches and dinners to people unable to prepare meals on their own. The meals are from hospitals and other healthcare facilities so they match the special diets a client may need.
Vernette Eppinga just turned 91. She is grateful for the meals, and the volunteers who help her keep going.
"They're very important. I can't get out and shop. Either I have to have someone shop for me, but even if they do, I still can't cook it. I can't stand."
But Mobile Meals doesn't have enough volunteers like Linda and John Bryant. They're about 18 short. Since each car delivers eight meals, that's 144 meals Mobile Meals has to scramble to get to people who need them.
Linda Bryant says, “We're kind of surprised at that. I think in the past there's always been a lot of snowbirds that have been able to fill in so this year for whatever reason, I know John's had to pull a lot of extra time subbing but I'm not quite sure what the reason is whether people just don't know about it or just don't want to do it but it really is very rewarding."
Now the Bryants, and Mobile Meals hope more generous souls will come forward to exchange less than two hours a week for rewards you just can't measure.
If you can help you can call them at this number: 520-622-1600 or visit the Mobile Meals of Tucson website.
