Christmas is a great time to reflect and count our blessings. We have just been reminded of the tremendous benefit our community enjoys through the selfless giving of our volunteers as we celebrate Volunteer Day on Tuesday. What better gift can there be than the gift of time and caring?

A bunch of non-profit groups and businesses have teamed up help needy and overlooked seniors during the holidays.

The program runs until Dec. 16 and is called Be a Santa to a Senior.

The Meals on Wheels clients in Kelowna are staying put.

None have chosen to quit the service and move to a new at-home meal delivery program offered by the Interior Health Authority.

"They've been very supportive in saying they want to stay with us," Meals on Wheels administrator Marion Bremner said Friday.

"Our volunteers don't just bring affordable and nutritious meals to people. They also provide an important social contact."

The program, which provides dinners and lunches to about 125 seniors and invalids in Kelowna, officially ends its longstanding relationship with Interior Health today.

The health authority has chosen to enter into a new contract with a private firm for the home delivery of meals.

The firm already runs the Neighbourhood Meal program, which provides dinners to seniors and others on a drop-in basis in Rutland and downtown Kelowna.

Meals in Wheels says it was not interested in bidding on the combined program when IH called for expressions of interest.

The program has an annual budget of $130,000.00 of which $35,000.00 was provided by Interior Health.

To make up the shortfall, the Kiwanis Club has increased its funding by $10,000 and operating expenses will be reduced by $7,000.00.

As well, society directors plan to obtain charitable status so they can issue tax receipts for donations. They also intent to apply for a city grant and provincial gaming funds.

"We're quite confident we can carry on," Bremner said.

Clients of Meals on Wheels pay $5-$6 for their dinners.

Volunteers and directors of Kelowna Meals on Wheels say it's business as usual despite losing a contract with Interior Health.

They plan to keep delivering meals to about 125 seniors and invalids each week even though IH will cut its ties with the organization on April 1.