TYLER, Texas — Increased fuel and food prices have forced Meals on Wheels East Texas to create a waitlist for its senior citizen clients for the first time since 2011.
As of Wednesday, that waitlist consisted of 450 people and counting.
"Right now, that list is growing rapidly. We get calls every single day for older and disabled adults that need our assistance, and the reason for the waitlist is because the economy is really hitting us," said Tiffany Damskov, executive director for Meals on Wheels East Texas.
The local Meals on Wheels delivers frozen meals to seniors in Smith, Gregg, Van Zandt, Wood, Henderson and Upshur counties.
It’s not just hitting Meals on Wheels though. Damskov said that inflation has caused more people in the community to seek their help, which has only increased their demand.
Regular recipients of Meals on Wheels would be missing out on more than just a meal. The organization provides holistic care for its clients and gives peace of mind to the recipients and their family.
"But it’s also important for us to have that visit with them because sometimes we’re the only person that they see each day. So we become the eyes and the ears for the family members too because we’re checking in on them," Damskov said.
Meals on Wheels is doing everything they can to get back to business as usual, but they could use some help. For as little as five dollars, people can help put food back on the table of seniors in need.
"We just want to reach out to the community and let them know that there’s a little bit of a gap in the funding and the cost of a meal. And for just five dollars, that can help fill in that gap and that will purchase a meal for one of our clients. It will help get us back on track," Damskov said.
Donations can be made directly to the Meals on Wheels East Texas website here.