KENT COUNTY, Del. - The Modern Maturity Center is asking the community to step up as demand for its Meals on Wheels program continues to grow across Kent County.
Every day, staff and volunteers prepare and deliver nearly 3,000 meals to about 2,000 homebound seniors, helping older adults remain independent while providing an important daily wellness check.
"The goal of the Meals on Wheels program is to keep people in their own homes because people age better when they're in their own homes," said Modern Maturity Center President and CEO Carolyn Fredricks. "And it's a lot less expensive than if somebody has to go into a nursing home."
Meals are prepared in the early morning at the Modern Maturity Center before being loaded into insulated bags and delivered throughout Kent County.
According to Meals on Wheels Coordinator Trudie Clay, the program serves seniors from "border to border, water to water," with volunteers covering delivery routes across the county.
In addition to providing nutritious meals, volunteers often serve as a daily wellness check for seniors who may not have family nearby.
"We have a lot of elderly whose family are not nearby," Clay said. "With Meals on Wheels, we are delivering daily and we can be that wellness check and make sure that they are safe."
As referrals continue to increase, Clay said the organization is struggling to keep enough volunteer drivers on the road.
"We're constantly short drivers," she said. "We're getting referrals every day for new clients that need a meal, and so the routes are getting bigger."
Fredricks said the volunteer shortage has become especially challenging during the summer months.
"It's a crisis for us right now because we need people," she said. "Our volunteers have kind of aged out, and we need to find some younger volunteers that will come in and pick up the gap for us."
When volunteer routes can't be filled, staff members step in to ensure no senior goes without a meal.
Volunteer Oscar Sebastian has been delivering meals alongside his wife since 2020. He says the experience has been rewarding.
"It really helps the community, especially the senior community," Sebastian said. "We always could use the help."
Clay says volunteers don't just deliver food—they often provide companionship to seniors who may not see anyone else that day.
"If you have a heart to serve, Meals on Wheels is a perfect place to serve," she said.
Interested in volunteering?
The Modern Maturity Center says volunteers are needed throughout Kent County. Drivers must pass a background check, and mileage reimbursement is provided.
Anyone interested in volunteering can call the Modern Maturity Center at 302-743-1200, ext. 142 or ext. 119.
