GOLDSBORO — Icy roads or not, many people rely on the kindness of strangers for food. Volunteers in the eastern part of the state are delivering hot meals for dinner and food that can last until the next batch of winter weather blankets the area.

Deborah Kornegay, director of the Meals on Wheels program, came up with the idea to distribute meals after talking with her friends.

"It's a dangerous situation out there and I, quite honestly, may not have considered it except that I have had so many of my friends call and offer their services," Kornegay said.

Volunteers in Rocky Mount and Wilson missed only a couple of days because of the storm, but they know that another disaster could come at any time.

The volunteers are planning ahead. For the next several days, they are giving away a nonperishable meal along with each hot meal, so months from now, their clients can eat if roads are impassable again.

"What we would like to do is be prepared for any further weather that is bad, that we can have our seniors have a meal on the shelf," said Connie Winstead-Bishop, director of theAgency on Aging. "Even if the snow doesn't come, then the meal could last up to a year."

Ella Wiggins appreciates the immediate help and long-term planning. Having a good meal packed away for the next year gives her some piece of mind about the next big storm.

"I don't think I could do without them," Wiggins said.

The Meals on Wheels program is asking people who would like to volunteer or have access to a four-wheel drive vehicle to call(252) 917-0592.