VAN WILL BOLSTER `MEALS' EFFORT

JACKSON -- The Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging now has a 1990 Chevrolet van that is delivering Meals on Wheels to house-bound senior citizens in the northern half of Cape Girardeau County.

The van was delivered to the agency on Monday. It was purchased from Johannes Auto Sales in Jackson with funds from a senior citizens service tax approved last year by voters in Cape County, said Glenda Hood, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging. Hood said the funds and all expenditures are administered and approved by the Cape Girardeau County Senior Citizens Tax Fund Board.

"We put the van into service Monday to deliver hot meals to 15 senior citizens in Daisy, Millersville and other areas of north Cape County," Hood said. "This is a new program for senior citizens in that area. Prior to purchase of the van, we were not able to deliver Meals on Wheels."

Hood said the van's driver, Ivan Orsland of Sedgewickville, will deliver meals Monday through Friday that are prepared at the Jackson Senior Citizen's Center. "Right now, we serve about 15 people," said Hood. "Next year, we expect that number to grow to about 25 because we will be able to use the funds for expanding the service instead of purchasing a vehicle."

Hood said senior citizens who live in the northern part of the county and would like more information on Meals on Wheels delivery should contact Dorothy Peetz at the Jackson Senior Citizen's Center, 243-4241.

Hood said a similar Meals on Wheels program in the Cape Girardeau area is administered by the Cape Girardeau County Council on Aging.