"It's like Halloween, only backwards."

Those are the words of four-year-old Anya, when asked why she likes delivering Meals on Wheels so much. Anya, along with several other young people, have recently joined the group of volunteers at Ancaster Community Services (ACS), delivering lunch-time meals to clients in the Ancaster area.

Anya, along with Haley, 3, and Sarah, 4, ride with their moms, while Scarlett, 3, tags along with her grandparents.

According to Anya's mom, Brandy, "I wanted to get involved with a volunteer position in our community, and many organizations would not allow me to bring my daughter with me. I am an at-home parent and want to teach my daughter the value of helping others and giving back to our community. The Meals on Wheels program allows for the flexibility that I need."

Mom Paula said her daughter Sarah sometimes falls asleep in the car on the way back.

"But she has so much fun carrying the bread or the dessert to the clients. She takes her job very seriously".

As the volunteer co-ordinator at Ancaster Community Services, Melanie Barlow has seen first-hand what an impact children can have with the clients.

Sometimes, she would bring along either her daughter Valerie, 6, or son Mitchell, 7, if it was a day off from school. The faces of the clients lit up when they saw the children.

"Some of the clients have grandkids but don't get to see them very often," said Ms. Barlow. "It's such a nice opportunity for both the kids and the seniors to share a smile or a story. I knew then that it was a great idea to try to recruit young parents or grandparents along with their kids.".

The Meals on Wheels program requires only two hours, once or twice a month, and volunteers are partnered with other volunteers to keep each other company while delivering meals. Scheduling is flexible and can accommodate holiday time and unexpected absences.

"I have two little ones, so I know that things can change overnight", said Ms. Barlow. "Our volunteers are great for helping out at the last minute".

Meals on Wheels has over 90 volunteers who deliver in the Ancaster area (urban and rural).

"Ancaster is growing, the need in our community is growing, and our programs are growing," said Ms. Barlow.

In fact, in a recent census from Statistics Canada, the growth rate for Ancaster is greater than the growth rate for Ontario. Over the 2001-06 period, there has been a 21 per cent growth rate in Ancaster, whereas in the province it was 6.6 per cent. There has also been a 14 per cent increase in the senior population in Ancaster.

"That's a very substantial increase", said Karen Hadden, executive director of Ancaster Community Services. "We are working very hard to respond to the needs of our community, and our volunteers are a huge part of it". To join the ACS volunteer team or find out more information about programs and services, call 905-648-6675, visit online at www.ancinfo.on.ca or drop by 300 Wilson St. E. in the lower level of the Ancaster library.