As the holidays approach, several groups are reaching out to help others in need throughout Kingfi sher County.

One group is continuing its mission to feed the elderly on a daily basis and needs help to keep the ovens burning and the wheels turning.

Kingfisher Meals on Wheels is seeking local donations to help finance its mission to feed hot, noon meals to the area’s elderly and homebound residents.

Currently the program serves meals to about three dozen senior citizens on four routes - three in Kingfi sher and one in Okarche.

Now in its 48th year, the program continues to employ two full-time cooks, Terra Richards and Kay Drew.

Additional expenses, such as the replacement of appliances and rising food costs have widened the gap between the minimal fee Meals on Wheels charges and what it costs to make each meal.

“We’re very grateful to the volunteers who continue to help us and to the people who have donated to our cause in the past year,” said Denise Jech, president of the Meals on Wheels board of directors.

Meals on Wheels relies exclusively on private donations to fund its operations and keep the price of meals affordable for the area’s vulnerable senior citizens.

It receives no government assistance.

“As 2024 comes to a close and 2025 approaches, we ask each of you to please keep this program in mind as part of your end-of-year charitable giving,” Jech added.

Donation checks may now be sent to: Kingfisher Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 732, Kingfi sher, OK, 73750.

Anyone interested in volunteering to deliver meals, whether one time only or on a monthly rotation, can call 405-375-9022.

There are currently multiple groups that help provide regular deliveries including Chisholm Trail Technology Center, Kingfi sher First Baptist Church, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Kingfisher Church of Christ, First Christian Church of King- fisher, Federated Church, First United Methodist Church, NBC Oklahoma, Cimarron Electric and Mercy Hospital Kingfisher-Se-nior Life Solutions.

There are several more individuals and couples who donate their time to make deliveries.

Other members of the board of directors, all of whom volunteer their time to keep the program running, include Carla Henderson, Lou Barrick, Susie Rice and Tamara Massey.