Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels has postponed plans to serve hot meals during a new drive-thru service this week because of the region's hazardous air quality.

The drive-thru service, which was set to begin Sept. 16, aims to increase the number of meals the nonprofit serves to area seniors.

Since the governor's stay-home order took effect in March, Meals on Wheels has been offering weekly delivery or pickup of frozen meals.

Prior to March, Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels had been cooking and delivering daily hot meals to homebound clients and serving meals at area senior dining centers.

"As much as we regret that we’re unable to serve a hot spaghetti lunch to our seniors this week, we are unwilling to compromise the safety of our staff and volunteers who would have to deliver meals to the cars outside. We know that we had seniors really looking forward to this meal, and we certainly hope that the air quality will rebound by next Wednesday. We are so sad for our neighboring communities who are struggling with even greater effects from the wildfires,” said Kristi Thien, nutrition services director comments.

Two more Wednesday drive-thrus are on the schedule from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Meals on Wheels Café, 1834 Fowler St., in south Richland:

• Sept. 23: Roast turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberries, peas and carrots, bread.
• Sept. 30: Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, Italian vegetables, dinner roll, ice cream.

All meals are provided to seniors age 60+ on a donation-only basis.

Seniors age 60 and older who are not current Meals on Wheels clients who may need meal assistance should call Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels office at 735-1911 to sign up.