The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, January 17, 1996            TAG: 9601170007
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   33 lines

LOCAL MEALS ON WHEELS UNFUNDED

More and more lately I've been reading and hearing about government-funded programs called Meals on Wheels.

I don't know how or where or when these programs became known as Meals on Wheels, but I feel it is necessary to point out that Meals on Wheels of Virginia Beach has been delivering meals to Virginia Beach residents for more than 21 years and has no connection with these federally funded programs. As a matter of fact, we receive absolutely no funds from any city, state or federal agency.

Our operation is funded by payments from the recipients of meals to the extent they can pay and from contributions from churches, garden clubs, civic and social organizations and individuals. We have two part-time dedicated employees and more than 500 wonderful volunteers who currently deliver a hot meal and a bag lunch to approximately 140 elderly, recuperating or handicapped people each weekday.

We are proud of our record, our employees, our volunteers, our contributors and the fact that we operate without government funding.

ROGER J. HALL, treasurer

Meals on Wheels

of Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach, Jan. 6, 1996 by CNB