August 9, 2007
By KRISTIN FARLEY
6 News Anchor/Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- The volunteers at Mobile Meals in Knoxville are taking extra steps to make sure the homebound are safe and healthy during this week's heat wave.
Once the lunches were packed on Thursday, Jennifer Oakes hit the road, making stop after stop after stop.
"We also check on them and make sure they are okay," Oakes says.
One thing the volunteers focus on is temperatures in the clients' homes. They check on air conditioning and fans that work.
No one Mobile Meals visited Thursday showed signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. But the volunteers still don't take any chances.
"We are looking out for any heat exhaustion signs, dizziness, redness, red face, flush face," Oakes says.
She did find one homeowner, whose air conditioning was on the fritz. Oakes says her agency will look for a replacement so the woman can rest in comfort later.
"It makes you feel very good that you can help those who have helped us for so many years."
Mobile Meals serves more than 1,000 people in Knoxville and it has more than 66 routes.
No one Mobile Meals visited Thursday showed signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
