Meals on Wheels gets a new ride

Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer

Through generous donations, fundraising and government allotments, Pocahontas County Senior Citizens has a new Meals on Wheel truck for the northern part of the county.

Kick started with funding provided by Senators Bill Hamilton and Robert Karnes and the Bureau of Senior Services, the truck was purchased with the help of the community, which provided the remaining funds.

Local civic organizations, church groups and individuals all pitched in to purchase the new truck. Total cost was $59,807.

“Without them all pitching in countywide, this could not have happened,” PCSC Fiscal Officer Dottie Brock said.

PCSC Executive Director John Simmons said the truck is equipped with hot and cold compartments which assure each meal delivered remains fresh.

“The last meal that comes off of the truck is as hot and the milk is just as cold as the first ones to come off the truck,” he explained. “It maintains a constant temperature.”

This is the second addition to the Senior Citizens fleet. The Marlinton/Edray site truck received a new truck in the fall of 2020.

Both of the older trucks remain in the fleet as back-up.

With routes that are nearly 100 miles a day, three days a week, the trucks see a fair share of wear and tear.

The new truck will be driven by Murrell Mullenax, who is accompanied on deliveries by Danny “Bushy” Rexrode.

Meals on Wheels serves 80 seniors in Pocahontas County and delivers five meals each week to them.

For more information on the Meals on Wheels program, as well as other programs provided by Pocahontas County Senior Citizens, call 304-799-6337.