"Most appreciate the company," says Meals on Wheels driver Frank Shallenberger, who is mostly responsible for the Willow Glen route. "I sometimes have a hard time tearing myself away. For some, I am the only person they see every day. They crave conversation."

Jane (the last names of clients are withheld due to Meals on Wheels company policy) looks forward to Shallenberger's daily visits. Although she has lived in Willow Glen for 39 years--"ever since there were orchards"--most of her seven children, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren live in Indiana.

"Frank is a good man," she says. "He always has something nice to say."

But Shallenberger's kind words aren't just reserved for clients. Willow Glen resident Sallie says her dog, Chiquita, has also become attached to their visitor.

"She likes Frank," Sallie says. "She stops barking when he comes. And when he leaves, she gets mad."

And Shallenberger, in turn, says becoming acquainted with new people is one of his favorite aspects of delivering food for Meals on Wheels. He especially enjoys the company of older generations.

"Seniors have a lot to offer," he says. "They have had lots of experiences."

Before he became a part of the Meals on Wheels team, Shallenberger worked as an ombudsman for assisted care facilities and nursing homes. Although he enjoyed serving seniors, he says the frequent deaths of clients became difficult to handle.

Shallenberger came to Meals on Wheels 10 years ago. He says he appreciates the fact that most of the clients use the service to remain as independent as possible. Some have full- or part-time caregivers; others live with family. And many live alone.

"Some are lonely, and you can tell who they are," Shallenberger says. "Some people hardly see anybody. I'm probably the only person they will see for a month."

Besides companionship, Shallenberger's daily presence gives clients and their families a sense of security. If something is amiss--a client doesn't open the door, for instance--he will peek in the windows and make sure everything is all right before making his next delivery.

"Our clients appreciate having someone to check in on them," Meals on Wheels manager Olympia Williams says. "We've had clients who fell and couldn't get up, or lay on the floor over the weekend. Our volunteers are critical to get them help."

For Angelina, Meals on Wheels provides peace of mind.

"It helps me to not worry about cooking, especially at lunchtime," she says. Angelina still occasionally cooks on the weekends and prepares simple dishes, like cottage cheese and fruit, for her other daily meals.

But not all of Shallenberger's clients are able to make even easy-to-prepare meals.

"For some people, [the meal I deliver] is the only meal they will get all day," he says.

According to Williams, the local Meals on Wheels delivers 325 meals a day. With only 12 paid drivers on staff, the organization relies on volunteers like Shallenberger to serve its clients. After the tech industry took a downturn, Williams says, the organization received a wave of volunteers who had been laid off from their jobs. But in the past six months, 20 volunteers found employment and left Meals and Wheels for a career.

Shallenberger says he has felt the crunch.

"It's been a lot of hassle lately," he says. "There are not enough volunteers."

In addition to his usual route five times a week, Shallenberger will occasionally pick up other routes when there are no other drivers available. Each route can take one to two hours to complete, depending on traffic.

"It's like a part-time job," he notes.

But volunteers are not required to donate as much time as Shallenberger, and can drive only one route a week if they wish.

"We convert the time they give us into meals for people who can't afford it at this time," Williams says.

Prospective volunteers should be "caring and compassionate" people who enjoy serving and communicating with others, Williams says.

And Shallenberger agrees.

"[Meals on Wheels] needs people who care," he says. "Not just about the elderly--not all of our clients are elderly--but about people in general. People who will be concerned, for instance, about making sure their clients' food is hot."

For Shallenberger, service with a smile is an essential part of his work. And his friendliness pays off. The banter he shares with clients while delivering meals helps both parties build a lasting camaraderie.

"I don't ever really know that much about my clients, but I learn enough so I like them," he says. "You can't learn that much by talking with someone for a few minutes, but that can add up over the years."

For more information on volunteering or receiving service, contact Meals on Wheels manager Olympia Williams at 408.961.9804 or via email at olympiaw@healthtrust.org. Volunteers must have a car and car insurance and be able to devote at least one day a week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a minimum of six months.