The meals are prepared at Covenant Hospital Plainview and delivered by volunteers. While many people get the meals free based on age, disability and income, Mrs. Horne said that´s not always the case.

But even with the meals taken care of, they have to reach their destinations somehow, and that´s why Mrs. Horne said volunteers are crucial for the program.

"We´re always looking for volunteers," she said. "Currently, we have four routes open, so if you want to try it, I´ll go with you the first time."

Presently, the program has 10 routes, two more than they had at the same time last year. Mrs. Horne said it takes between 20-40 minutes to run a route.

"Most of our volunteers belong to The Greatest Generation,´ (folks mostly 65 and up)," she said, "but during the week of Thanksgiving and two weeks during Christmas, 4-H kids fill all of the empty routes."

Meals On Wheels also gets volunteer help from many local clubs, including the Optimists, Good Sams Club, the Lions Club and the Rotary Club. Several churches and individual Sunday school classes also help out.

Mrs. Horne´s eldest daughter, Maegan, 25, has a degree in hotel and restaurant management, and lives in Houston. Her other daughter Jill, 16, is a junior at PHS, while her son Jeff, 14, is a freshman. Her husband, John, is golf pro at Plainview Country Club.

"Clients get to see someone every day," said Mrs. Horne. For some, she said, the volunteer is the only person they come in contact with all day.

"Often, the volunteers become so attached to clients that they become friends. And it really makes you feel good to know that you´re making a difference in somebody´s day."

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