WILMINGTON – On Friday, March 9, 2012, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) will hit the road in Sussex County to deliver meals to seniors from the CHEER Community Center's Meals on Wheels kitchen.

First, Sen. Carper will visit the CHEER center to tour the facility and meet the staff and volunteers who help with the Senior Nutrition Program. Press is invited to join Sen. Carper for the visit and delivery.

The CHEER Nutrition Program prepares over 1,000 meals a day in its kitchen in Georgetown and delivers the prepared food to nine nutrition sites across the county each weekday. Volunteers pick-up and deliver the meals to over 480 Meals on Wheels clients every day.

Last year, CHEER provided 126,476 home-delivered meals to seniors across Sussex County, providing an essential service for those in need. The Meals on Wheels program allows seniors to stay in their homes and remain independent for as long as possible by providing them a hot, nutritious daily meal. CHEER's Meals on Wheels program is also used to provide temporary relief for seniors experiencing short-term medical issues, allowing them to remain independent and in their homes.