It is sad to think, but there are hundreds of seniors in our communities who go without food or any personal contact.

With shrinking budgets, government and charitable agencies are simply not able to meet all of the needs.

Just last week, State Senator Don Gaetz and the Council On Aging appealed to the community to help.

Tonight, we wanted to show you the work on those Angels On Wheels.

Voice of Gay Carter; My mother did it when we lived in Memphis. And she enjoyed it. And when I was looking for a volunteer job, I thought, well, I'll try that out.

KNOCK. Meals on Wheels.
Hey, how are you doing?
Hello.

Gay Carter became a volunteer for Meals On Wheels "Nine" years ago. She found the same satisfaction that her mother did.

Gay Carter, Meals on Wheels Volunteer; It's like going to visit a friend. It's good to see them, it's good to talk to them. I look forward to every Tuesday, going and delivering and seeing my friends.

Ann Causey is the caregiver for her 90 year old aunt, Easter Cossey. To them, and so many others like them, gay and the meals on wheels volunteers are friends *and* so much more.

Easter Cossey, 90 years old; Before I got down where I am now, I would cook; fix me something, whatever I wanted. But, now, I'm scared to get over the stove on account of I fell. And I don't want to get over the stove and get burned.

Ann has serious medical problems herself and is awaiting a heart transplant.

Ann Causey, Awaiting Heart Transplant; Just unknowing, my heart would just stop and I would just pass out.

I constantly pray that, Lord, please don't let nothing happen to me seriously that I wouldn't be able to care for her.

Gay; You always want to know if they're all right; in the summer if they're cool enough and in the winter, if they're warm enough.

So, gay doesn't just drop the meals and run. She sits a minute and listens.

Aunt Easter; I fell catty-corner and I couldn't move.

400 seniors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are receiving services now. But, another 400 are on a waiting list...Waiting for more gay carters.

Jeff Nall, Council on Aging; This program depends on volunteers and we're desperately seeking more assistance.

We have opportunities for groups who can adopt a route and then rotate the delivery amongst themselves. Maybe each person doesn't deliver but every two-three weeks.

Ann; It it wasn't for the home delivered meals, sometimes, I don't think, at least I know, she would have to be in a nursing facility.

Aunt Easter; And I say, thank God for y'all coming.Angels In Our Midst "Gay Carter"