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Herkimer County Legislature approves $33,000 to assist Meals on Wheels

By ANDREW DONOVAN

Story Created: Oct 3, 2012 at 5:24 PM EDT

Story Updated: Oct 3, 2012 at 5:53 PM EDT

HERKIMER, N.Y. (WKTV) - As the need for the Meals on Wheels program is growing in Herkimer County and the Board of Legislators is stepping up with some assistance.

$33,000 in funding was approved on Wednesday toward the Herkimer County Office of the Aging for the program. Meals on Wheels is dealing with the rising price of food and an increase in those needing the meals.

Legislators in the county such as Raymond Smith of the 10th District, said they were not willing to let those who depend on the program down.

"Maybe it's more people reaching that age where they are senior citizens, but whatever it is, we don't want to turn them away," Smith said. "We want to support them and help them all we can. That's our reason for adding the $15,000."

Meals on Wheels says they average 300 meals each month.

The additional funding approved on Wednesday will provide roughly 6,000 meals between now and the end of the year, Herkimer County Administrator James Wallace said.

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