The winter has shown little sign of letting up any time soon. Temperatures have reached record lows recently and periodic snowfall has made driving somewhat dangerous.

For those who are older and suffering from an illness or condition, going out into this weather is not an option.

Meals on Wheels, however, provides people age 60 or older mid-day meals. The meals are prepared at Austin Medical Center, Comforcare Good Samaritan Center and Sacred Heart Care Center. Each meal consists of meat or fish, gravy, potato and cooked vegetables and can be ordered to fit a person's health needs, such as a diabetic.

In Austin, 30 people are volunteering to take these meals to those that request them. The delivery takes only a half an hour and those that volunteer say the recipients appreciate the prepared meals and a short chat with the drivers.

Because some volunteers go on vacation or because unexpected circumstances come up, Meals on Wheels is always looking for extra drivers.

The number of meals prepared and delivered can near 200 on some days. If a few volunteers cannot make their shift, making the deliveries in a timely manner can be difficult.

If you are able to take a half hour out of your daily routine, call the Austin's Meals on Wheels program at 433-2680 to volunteer.

Those that depend on the hot, nutritious meals will appreciate it.