It may seem small as far as grants go, but to Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels, $15,000 from the Walmart Foundation, is something like the answer to a prayer.

The money allowed the organization to purchase a new van for meal deliveries, replacing an aging one the organization feared was on its last legs.

"We are so pleased," said Ann Harris, executive director for Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels. "I think it will cut down on our maintenance costs and we know it's going to reduce our fuel costs, which means there are more people we can serve."

The financial support came at a time when it is desperately needed. The recession has hit Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels and many other similar programs across the country especially hard.

Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels driver/deliverers Len Gooden, left, and Jerome Tennyson load food into the organization's new van on a recent morning.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

Meals on Wheels delivers cooked, full-course meals to homebound people who are unable to go out or cook for themselves, and the need is greater than ever.

"The biggest effect of the economy is that now we've had to maintain a waiting list," Harris said. "In the last two or three months we've had between 50-60 people waiting for meals, which isn't good considering our population. We're trying to prioritize our deliveries, putting folks who are just out of the hospital, or in hospice, or in short term need on the list first," Harris said.

Volunteers and staff arrive six days out of the week to check on people, mostly seniors, and deliver a full course meal.

"We are also doing a safety check when we go into a home because about 80 percent of our folks live alone. It's not unusual to find someone who has fallen or has gotten ill," said Harris.

The organization has also teamed up with the Humane Society of Huron Valley and the University School of Nursing to provide pet food for client's pets.

"It's Meals on Wheels for your pets too," says Harris. "Medical studies have shown how good pets are for people who live alone, how they lower the blood pressure. So we are getting a lot of help for the pets as well."

Ken Butman, owner of Gene Butman Ford in Ypsilanti, gave the organization a good deal on the new Ford Transit Connect and also contributed $2.000 out of pocket. Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels relies on donations such as this, and funding from various community groups to stay up and running.

"On average contribution per meal is 77 cents and it costs us over $6.50 a meal to be able to deliver it," said Harris.

"At any time, we usually have about 240 recipients getting a meal," she said.

To the west, Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels has also noticed some effect from the economic downtown, but the impact has been less severe.

"Our donations and client contributions are down a little bit, but so far we are holding our own," said Beth Adams, director of Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels. "We are fortunate that right now we do not have a waiting list. We're not cutting back services, so that's always a good thing."

The organization has just added service to the Dixboro area, which until now hasn't had any coverage from Meals on Wheels.

"We realized we are able to serve that area without adding that much additional cost," said Adams. "It can easily be met by volunteers."

Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels serves more than 200 people every month. The organization is gearing up for its golf outing in July, which is its biggest fund-raiser.

"We are a bit concerned about getting sponsors," says Adams. "Fund-raising is always a challenge but it's exacerbated in our recession."

Last year the organization netted almost $9,000, and this year it's hoping to raise around $12,000.