Mayor John Dennis delivers hot meals

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Meals on Wheels mission is to deliver hot meals to those who aren't able to get one themselves. It's an inability organizers say is quickly growing.

"We've added about 60 people since the beginning of the year," Jennifer Shook Tippecanoe County Meals on Wheels Director said. "That tells me there's a real need for this kind of program and we want to make sure we're able to reach everybody that needs that."

The initiative starts in the IU Health Arnett kitchen. Hundreds of meals are prepared, bagged and gathered for delivery every week.

"We continually do all of the meals for the elderly," Executive Chef at IU Health Arnett Hospital Brad Littlejohn said. "We package anywhere from approximately 90 to 120 meals a day, Monday through Friday."

The meals are delivered right to the recipients doorsteps' by volunteers.

Thursday was a special delivery day. "Mayors for Meals" is a nationwide day where mayors across the nation go around town and deliver hot meals.

It's a service that holds a special place in the heart of West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis.

He said it's more than delivering a meal.

It's a good way to stop by and say hello and check in with those who may not get to see people every day.

"On a personal note, my mom was a recipient of Meals on Wheels," Mayor Dennis said. "Back at the time, I was working as a police officer, and I didn't have the opportunity to get home and check on her as often as I'd like. Having Meals on Wheels stop by every afternoon, to give her lunch, to make sure she had a warm meal, and also to have that human contact was just so important to us as a family. It made us feel much better about mom."

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for those people that are unwilling or unable to take better care of themselves, and lord knows the food is good." meal recipient Patricia Spears said.