Congressman Charlie Dent, R-15th, recently helped deliver meals to homebound residents of Lehigh County.

Dent volunteers his help to Wheels on Meals of Lehigh County whenever Congress is not in session.

According to Michele Grasso, development director for Meals on Wheels, there is an ongoing need for volunteers to deliver meals to those who cannot prepare meals for themselves.

There are now 420 recipients being served, up from 370 a year ago.

Of those, 40 use SNAP benefits to afford the cost of the meals. An additional 150 need government assistance, by way of Medicaid or other programs.

The remaining recipients pay on a sliding scale, depending on their income.

Grasso also said Meals on Wheels is even delivering pet food to prevent recipients from sharing their food with their beloved pets.

The program needs to raise $450,000 every year to deliver meals five days per week.