By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL / Staff Writer

It is 2018, and as part of the Clanton Senior Center, Meals On Wheels is marking 45 years of service to the senior citizens of Chilton County.

Part of the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging, Meals On Wheels is a nonprofit program that provides well-balanced, hot meals to homebound citizens who are at least 60 years of age.

Income does not matter.

“We’ve got to take care of our seniors because they’ve done everything for us, and now it’s their turn [to be served],” program manager Carolyn Thomas said.

Thomas has been with Meals On Wheels for four years, and said that when she first started the program served nine individuals. Others were on a waiting list.

It has since changed.

“We have 125 people that we service every day, Monday through Friday,” Thomas said. “They get a protein, they start a vegetable juice sometimes, and they get a meal — bread, dessert and sometimes fresh fruit.”

Recipients are delivered one meal per day.

While Meals On Wheels has several constant deliverymen and women, Thomas said seven churches have additionally partnered with the program to alternate deliveries each week.

Next week’s delivery volunteers are with Clanton First United Methodist Church, which is scheduled to run its route March 6-9.

Community outreach is an important ministry upheld by Clanton FUMC.

“We exist … to serve Christ’s mission here in Chilton County and around the world, that lives may be changed for now and eternity as we proclaim through word and deed that Jesus Christ is Lord,” the Clanton FUMC mission statement reads.

The Clanton Senior Center offers seniors daily lunch at its facility, providing the same meals it delivers through the Meals On Wheels program.

Seniors are invited to participate in various activities hosted by the center, including karaoke, bingo and exercise.

For more information about Meals On Wheels or the Clanton Senior Center, call (205) 755-3248.