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In Rain or Snow, Philadelphia Charitable Group Keeps Delivering Meals

By Michelle Durham

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A nonprofit organization that delivers tens of thousands of meals each year to area residents dealing with life-threatening illnesses says it could use some help -- especially in the current weather conditions.

Rob Saxon, director of external affairs for Manna (at right in photo), notes that his organization delivers three meals a day, seven days a week, to 800 clients.

And this time of year, he says, makes it tough to deliver the nourishing meals that can be a literal lifesaver for their clients.

"We don't ever stop, whether it's rain or snow," Saxon said this morning.  "We have staff members who go with (the deliver drivers) to do ridealongs.  A  lot of the streets in Philadelphia are so small and impassable, the Manna staff that go with the drivers help deliver the meals to the client's door."

But Manna finds itself shorthanded now.

"This time of the year, with the holidays and the bad weather, and drivers need time off as well," Saxon notes.

Ray Moore, a driver (at left in photo), says the mission can be personally fulfilling.

"For me it's very rewarding when a client lets you into their home," he tells KYW Newsradio.  "And you deliver a meal and you know it makes a difference in their life.  It's a gamechanger for many of our clients."

Manna officials say their operation also need help in the kitchen.   For more information on how you can donate your time, go to mannapa.org  or call Glenda at 215-496-2662, ext. 100.

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