"If you have an hour or so between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., once a week or once or twice a month, we'd love to talk to you," said Janelle Zolkowski, VNA Meals on Wheels Coordinator.

Anyone who is looking for something to do in the line of community service and who has a valid driver's license is welcome to become a Meals on Wheels volunteer driver.

Individuals, local businesses, and community organizations can volunteer.

"We have a number of churches, businesses and organizations who have 'adopted' a route, with employees or members taking turns delivering meals during their lunch hour. It's a wonderful opportunity for a church group, business or organization to really make a difference in the lives of the elderly and disabled in our community," said Zolkowski.

Meals on Wheels has provided nutritional, hot lunches to Porter County residents for more than thirty years. A large percentage of Meals on Wheels clients are senior citizens. Many of them would be unable to continue to live at home without the service. According to Zolkowski, the Meals on Wheels volunteer is often the only person these individuals see all day. It is contact with the outside world that they look forward to, and it is also reassuring for their families to know someone is checking in on them during the day.

According toPortage MOW coordinator Irene Moore, "Without enough volunteers to deliver the meals, the program can't happen." She would be "ever so grateful if people could volunteer for even two days a month. That would really help a lot."

For more information on how to become a Meals on Wheels volunteer, contact the VNA at 462-5195.

--For The Times