This project funds one year’s worth of fuel for ONE truck. Helping Hand Worldwide’s (HHWW’s) three Mobile Food Pantry refrigerated trucks pick up healthful, nutritious food from donor retailers and deliver it to seniors on fixed incomes. Needs Statement: Thousands of Orange County seniors rely on our weekly deliveries of fresh food because they cannot otherwise afford to eat properly. In at least two cases we know of, seniors were consuming canned pet food because it was all their meager budgets could bear. Objectives: To continue building the capacity of our Mobile Food Bank to reach seniors who require help to meet their nutritional needs. Our services are expanding, as new food banks are established throughout Orange County to stem the rising tide of hunger in a terrible economy. Timeline: This program is ongoing. Food needs are growing exponentially. Our Mobile Food Pantry operates 7 days a week with an all-volunteer staff. There is no end in sight to the demand, but with support, HHWW can meet the need. Expected Outcomes: Helping Hand Worldwide Mobile Food Pantry Program Services will provide a nutritional safety net and reduce hunger by serving 25,000+ people in need during 2010 – roughly one-third of them 70 and older. Seniors will have improved quality of life and better nutrition through regular deliveries of free, high-quality food items. A steady source of healthful food will allow low-income seniors to consume a balanced diet, making them less frail and less susceptible to illness. Directors at our recipient senior centers and housing units report better, more positive social interaction and elevated moods in seniors who. prior to receiving foodstuffs, were withdrawn or listless. Additionally, HHWW will receive food and product from 28 donors, providing 304 food/product pickups monthly for distribution to program participants.