SCRANTON -- There's a lot of work and long hours that go into preparing more than 800 meals a day at Meals on Wheels in Scranton.
The agency serves Lackawanna County.
These days, employees say the work days are especially difficult without a state budget. The big issue is: figuring out how to save money without cutting services.
"From whether we can order certain proteins that may be more expensive, to whether we can order bread. Or, should we order bread? Should we reduce that? Should we go to canned fruit versus fresh fruit," Meals on Wheels executive director Kristen Kosin said.
A state budget was due back in July. Without one, the agency has had to borrow $100,000.
Kosin said these days the agency is running a very lean operation.
Meals on Wheels, which covers Lackawanna County, has had several employees take voluntary layoffs.
Those who deliver food to the elderly and disabled say programs like Meals on Wheels shouldn't be in situations like this.
"A lot of them, really, it's probably really the only meal they are going to get that day. Some of them are just waiting at the door for you. No matter what you give them, they're happy with it," Tom Noll said.
Joshua Davis has worked at Meals on Wheels for only a few months. He is helping with everything he can, especially with fewer workers on the job.
The agency tells Newswatch 16 along with the voluntary layoffs they are in need of another 3 to 4 workers. However, without a budget they can't do that.
"We've had two voluntary layoffs since I've started, so there's definitely people that have been stepping up to pick up the slack so everything gets done," Davis said.
Kosin is hoping something changes soon at the state Capitol or else they will need to make more changes.
.
