POSTED: Friday, April 3, 2009 --- 8:30 p.m.

The bad economy continues to claim more victims and now some of those who can't do anything about it have big worries about where they'll get their next meal.

The Evening Meals on Wheels program is facing financial struggles.

Every Friday night the Siegler family loads up and heads out.

Just three of dozens of Evening Meals on Wheels volunteers, their trips mean everything to those they serve.

Volunteer Mel Siegler says, "It can take a very small amount of your time and make a huge difference in the lives of others."

It's a service 81-year old Wayne Ketchens credits with keeping him alive.

He says, "I think it's a god send for people that need meals."

The service provides more than 200 hot meals a night in Dane County alone. but it's a program that's struggling.

At Independent Living, Inc. staff say the Meals on Wheels fund raising campaign came up 70-percent short of last years total, 5-thousand dollars less than they were hoping to raise. That's a lot of meals.

Director of Development and Communication Patricia Eldred says, "We're very worried. I mean our whole March for Meals Campaign is based on the need for no senior to go to bed hungry."

Add to that the fact that a bad economy has more seniors than ever asking for assistance and you have a lose, lose situation.

For people like Ketchens the thought of not getting that daily meal is a scary one

He says, "I'd probably be starving, that's literally it because I don't have the money."

Clients without money and a provider struggling to raise enough has meals on wheels facing their biggest financial challenge in at least 20 years.

Eldred says, "We really need help from the public."

It's help that will keep people like Wayne Ketchens fed and looked after.

For more information about the program or for information on how you can help head to:

http://indepenliving.com/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=43