HITTING THE ROAD VALLEY AGENCIES OFFER MEAL DELIVERY FOR HOMEBOUND FOLKS.

Byline: Rick Coca Valley News Writer

For homebound residents in need of a meal, there are several agencies in the San Fernando Valley that offer services.

Meals on Wheels will deliver two meals a day for $8 to any homebound person regardless of age or financial status. The only requirement is the clients must be unable to prepare their own meal or not be able to leave their residence.

Ileene Parker is the program director for community support services at the Valley Interfaith Council in Van Nuys. She also supervises the Meals on Wheels program that operates out of the VIC'S Bernardi Multipurpose Senior Center.

``We don't discriminate,'' Parker said. ``We've delivered meals to mansions and cardboard boxes.''

Parker said Meals on Wheels receives no governmental funding and relies on the fees paid by its clients, private donations and the volunteer work done by the drivers and others who help package the meals each day.

``Everyone gets their meals; whether it's raining or everybody has the flu, we guarantee everybody gets their meals, and they do,'' Parker said.

Parker said she currently has about 15 volunteer drivers serving roughly 80 clients. She would take on more clients if she could find more drivers and funding. She said because of limited resources the clients must sign on for a minimum of five days, but can receive meals seven days a week if they meet the criteria. Although the majority of their clients are elderly, Parker said the program is ideal for single people who return home after hospital care.

She told the story of a young man who was homebound for two months after breaking both legs in a motorcycle accident.

``He was single; he didn't have a family around,'' Parker said. ``He was a big strong guy, but he was off his feet. He needed our help. We're very happy that we were able to do that.''

Parker said because of the amount of money that poured into all the disaster relief, programs such as hers have experienced a drop-off in donations. Money's only part of her concern.

``The two things I'm constantly looking for are volunteers and money,'' Parker said. ``The program just doesn't work without volunteers. I dream of having a bank of 200 people on call.''

In the meantime, she, her staff and volunteers will continue delivering food - guaranteed.

Also operating out of the Bernardi Center is the city-funded Meals to the Homebound program, a home food service designed specifically for seniors 60 years and older. To be eligible for that program, the seniors cannot drive or own a car.

The program delivers one meal a day and requests a $2 donation, but participants are not turned away if they cannot pay.

Rosalinda Gonzales, executive director for the Bernardi Center Meals to the Homebound program, said there are similar programs throughout the Valley, each serving different communities. The city funds about 65 percent of the program and the rest is paid through fundraising. Meals To The Homebound drivers are paid a nominal fee, but Gonzales said it's the kind of work people do because they want to make a difference, not get rich.

People such as Alvin J. McLaughlin of Sherman Oaks.

A retired city supervisor, McLaughlin, 67, began working part time as a driver for the Meals to the Homebound program in 1999.

``It's all about taking care of the people,'' McLaughlin said. ``Sometimes we spend 10 or 15 minutes talking (with the clients). It's not about the money. Otherwise, I'd be doing something else.''

McLaughlin said he is the only daily outside contact some seniors have. He said he enjoys hearing stories about his client's families or the entertaining tales of Lavonne ``Pepper'' Davis, who in her younger days played in the professional women's baseball league made famous in the movie ``A League of Their Own.''

Other stories aren't quite so heartwarming.

``Some of the stories are like, the kids don't see them,'' McLaughlin said. ``They're there by themselves and they're scared of falling.''

So McLaughlin does his part by offering a kind word or two whenever he can.

``Have a good day,'' he said recently as he dropped off a meal. ``Stay warm.''

To volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program or inquire about their services, call [phone]. Meals to the Homebound program: Residents of Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys and Panorama City, call [phone]. Residents of Pacoima, Sunland, Sylmar, Tujunga and Lake View Terrace, call [phone]. Residents of North Hollywood, Studio City and Sun Valley, call [phone].

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Photo:

Meals to the Homebound client, former women's professional baseball player, Lavonne ``Pepper'' Davis, receiving her meal from driver Alvin J. McLaughlin.