A group that makes feeding the elderly its daily task needs helps 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 Kingfisher and one in Okarche.

Now in its 47th 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 2023 comes to a close and 2024 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: KC Accounting P.O. Box 732 Kingfisher, 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, Kingfisher First Bapist Church, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Kingfisher Church of Christ, First Christian Church of Kingfisher, Federated Church, First United Methodist Church and NBC Oklahoma.

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

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