A nasty winter storm and sub-zero temperatures caused delivery delays for Mobile Meals on Thursday, but drivers like Glenn Pelfrey were determined to make it to their destinations, knowing that many people were counting on the food.
"You've got to slow down and just hang in there until the salt trucks get out there and do their job. It slows you down a lot, but you can still do it," Pelfrey said.
Mobile Meals delivers about 2,500 meals a day across Summit, Cuyahoga and Portage counties, but some drivers ran one to two hours behind schedule as they carefully navigated snow-covered and icy roadways.
Pat Snider, 61, of Akron, is on disability and told News 5 he's very grateful that he receives frozen meals for a week, especially when Mother Nature turns ugly.
"I think it's great. I really do because I have a hard time getting to the grocery store, things like that," Snider said. "I think it's great that they do it."
Drivers also serve as extra safety checks when clients, many of whom are disabled or seniors, don't answer the door.
On Friday, Pelfrey called the Mobile Meals no response phone line after a woman didn't answer her door for a delivery. It was later determined she was at a doctor's appointment and forgot to tell the agency she wouldn't be home.
Pelfrey said the job is rewarding and he enjoys giving encouraging greetings and meals to those along his route, even in the bone-chilling weather.
"I really do enjoy it. I can't think of anything I'd rather do," he said.
Mobile Meals has about 20 paid drivers and 200 volunteers, but the organization is in need of more volunteers and donations.
Those interested should contact Mobile Meals at 330-376-7717.
