Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger recently lent a helping hand at the local Meals on Wheels Program at the Middletown Senior Center. His visit is part of an annual awareness campaign organized by the Meals on Wheels Association of America to generate awareness about the growing number of seniors facing the threat of hunger in America and to encourage action on the part of the local community.

For more than a decade, volunteers have served up hot meals and company for seniors at the Nutrition Center. In addition volunteers deliver hot meals to scores of senior households. Middletown’s Meals on Wheels is operated by Interfaith Neighbors.

Nearly 4,000 seniors throughout Monmouth County receive meals through the Meals on Wheels nutrition program, funded through the Monmouth County Office on Aging. Volunteers are always needed. Volunteers help out at Nutrition Center or deliver meals. Packaged meals are collected from the Nutrition Center and generally delivered between 11 a.m. and 1p.m. Call 732-291-0999.

Transportation to the Senior Center is available with advance registration. Middletown residents 60 and older are welcome to participate in special events and weekly activities planned in the Senior Center’s East Wing after lunch. Registration is free, but required to participate. The Senior Center, located at 900 Leonardville Road, is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 732-615-2265.