Meals on Wheels asks for help and donations

Meals on Wheels, a program that delivers meals to elderly shut-ins and others, is in need of volunteers as well as monetary donations to cover rising operational costs, its national president said here last week.

"We need younger people involved in this," Enid Borden, president and CEO of the Meals on Wheels Association of America, said Thursday during a visit to Lanakila Meals on Wheels. "Young people need to come to this as a cause and say, ‘There’s something I can do to help.’"

Rising fuel costs are another challenge, she said.

"We’re Meals on Wheels, so we’ve got the both of them — the meals and the wheels. When the price of gas goes up, the price of food goes up," Borden said. Borden said operational costs have gone up across the nation. There are 5,000 Meals on Wheels programs nationally that collectively serve more than 1 million meals per day.

Lanakila Meals on Wheels in Liliha delivers about 1,200 meals per day to people across Oahu, at home and at group dining sites such as senior centers.

Its annual operating budget is $2.5 million. The program receives federal and state funding; raises funds through its custom apparel, maintenance and catering services; and receives charitable donations.

Interim Director Lenny Fabro said the program has about 200 volunteers but that fewer people volunteer during the summer and the Christmas holiday period.

"Summertime is really the hardest time for us," Fabro said. "We are always in need of volunteer drivers."

Fabro said many volunteers go on vacation over the summer months.

Bob Boesch, a Liliha resident, rides his bicycle to Lanakila Pacific to volunteer Mondays through Fridays.

"It’s a noble purpose," said Boesch, a retired state employee. "It was nice to see I was making a difference."

Craig Fujioka, a 44-year-old Pearl City resident, has been working for Lanakila Pacific for less than a year. He helps prepare the meals for deliveries and also delivers the meals to those in need.

"They look forward to seeing you," Fujioka said. "To see the smiles on their faces, it’s really great."

Donald Coken, 79, of Wahiawa has received Meals on Wheels deliveries five days a week for the past couple of years.

"It’s easier for me," Coken said.

Borden encourages people to donate or volunteer if possible.

"I would love to see a day where nobody is hungry," she said.