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Service On 4 Wheels

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By NICOLA M. WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 28, 2007

ZEPHYRHILLS - Imagine having to choose between eating dinner and taking medicine.

When money is tight, that's exactly the choice some people have to make.

That's where East Pasco Meals on Wheels comes in. Every week, the organization delivers more than 500 hot, nutritious, low-cost meals to mostly homebound people on fixed incomes.

"We honestly are sometimes the sole lifeline to these seniors every day," said Cindy Beson, the organization's interim director.

One time, a volunteer on her rounds found a client on the floor. He had been there for 24 hours, Beson said.

Some clients' children live out of state; some people don't have any living relatives. Often, though, their needs aren't just about being alone but about their ability to afford nutritious food. One month's worth of meals, with five hot meals per week, costs clients $80 per month. For clients who can't afford that, Meals on Wheels works with them to provide food at a cheaper rate.

"We can't turn anyone away," Beson said.

Sometimes, that's easier said than done, though. This summer, the agency's bills skyrocketed, not just for food but for expenses such as building and liability insurance. With the economy on a downturn, donations to the organization, which needs about $12,000 to $13,000 per month to run, took a nosedive. Meals on Wheels was in serious trouble, Beson said.

In the past month, the agency, which receives no government assistance and is not affiliated with any religious group, reorganized its governing board to require that members be year-round residents. That way, they can help raise money all year, rather than just in the winter months, when the Zephyrhills population swells with Northern retirees.

The Rev. Tim Mitchell, of Chancey Road Christian Church, also hit up local civic groups this month, asking for cash and food donations. Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotary Club members gave more than $300, and employees at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills bought food for Thanksgiving meals.

Schools also pitched in. West Zephyrhills Elementary donated eight boxes of leftover canned goods from a recent food drive, and the Zephyrhills High School honor society pledged to hold a spaghetti dinner for the organization.

"To see the community come together, it's been wonderful," Mitchell said.

Those contributions are especially important during the holiday season, when the agency's needs increase, he said.

Volunteer Barbara Cox, 80, has delivered meals for 10 years. She does it to keep busy and to remind herself that although many retirees in this community are healthy and active, others aren't so lucky.

"Someday, somebody might have to bring me meals," she said.
EAST PASCO MEALS ON WHEELS
STARTED: In 1974, its mission is to provide nutritious, low-cost meals to low-income and homebound people.

SERVICES: Volunteers deliver hot, fresh meals daily to clients' homes, plus special meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

NEEDS: Money and canned goods. The organization accepts aluminum cans, newspapers, magazines and other paper goods (except for phonebooks and envelopes with plastic windows).

CONTACT: (813) 782-2793 or 38145 15th Ave., Zephyrhills FL 33542

Reporter Nicola M. White can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or nwhite1@tampatrib.com.

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