By Carolyn Cole/Staff Writer

Termites have eaten Mobile Meals of El Reno out of their Jenks Simmons Field House home.

El Reno School District workers will replace the kitchen and pantry’s crumbling walls in the next few weeks. While repairs are made, coordinator Neta Liebscher is moving Mobile Meals into a temporary home at the 4-H education building, near Foreman and Country Club.

“While we are out, we are going to do things very simple,” she said. “They won’t get any mashed potatoes — they won’t get anything that has to be cooked in our steamer because we can’t move those items.”

However, she said all 167 area residents who depend on Mobile Meals for lunch Monday through Friday will continue to receive meals, although it might be sandwiches.

“They will get a lunch,” she said. “We won’t leave them without. It will be a little different for two weeks.”

Termites have been a growing problem for a few years, Liebscher said. First the walls started crumbling near the baseboards, but when she put her knuckles through the wall after taking her hand off the can opener, she said she knew the situation couldn’t wait any longer. Right before Liebscher needed to buy materials, Mobile Meals received a donation for almost the exact amount for the project’s cost.

“They are taking the wall completely out and putting in material that will not be eaten by termites,” she said. “The problem will be fixed.”

Mobile Meals has fed hungry El Reno residents for more than 30 years, relying largely on private donations. Liebscher said she has between 10 and 15 volunteers to help with cooking and delivering, but always needs additional helpers.

“It comes from above, it’s nothing we do,” she said. “The Lord does supply us. We barely make by sometimes, but we make by.”

For information about volunteering, call Mobile Meals at its temporary home at 262-0683.